New Zealand Captain Kane Williamson Optimistic About ODI World Cup Fitness

Alex Carey Opts Out Of PSL 2025 From Islamabad United

New Zealand cricket team’s captain, Kane Williamson, is cautiously hopeful about his recovery from a knee injury in time for the ODI World Cup in India, scheduled for October-November this year.

Williamson, who is undergoing rehabilitation for his knee injury, shared encouraging news with New Zealand fans, mentioning that his recovery progress is exceeding expectations. He aims to be fit for selection when the World Cup squad is finalized next month.

While speaking to the media before a net practice session with his teammates, Williamson emphasized the importance of ensuring his knee is fully prepared before making any decisions about his participation. He acknowledged that the recovery journey has its ups and downs, and he’s focusing on taking it step by step.

Williamson suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee during an Indian Premier League (IPL) game in March. Despite this setback, New Zealand’s head coach, Gary Stead, expressed the possibility of considering Williamson’s selection even if he isn’t ready for the initial group matches of the World Cup.

Williamson expressed support for this idea and is open to exploring different scenarios to participate in the World Cup. He emphasized that the current focus is on his rehabilitation progress and taking it day by day.

Although he wasn’t included in the Black Caps’ 15-player squad for the upcoming ODI series against England, Williamson will join the team in England to continue his training and rehabilitation.

Looking ahead, New Zealand has a series of ODIs against Bangladesh before the World Cup. While Williamson believes it might be a bit early for him to resume playing during that series, he’s determined to work hard and make progress toward his goal of being ready for the World Cup.

Williamson is currently in the running phase of his rehabilitation and is gradually transitioning to facing bowlers in net sessions. He remains motivated by the memory of his standout performance in the previous World Cup and is looking forward to contributing once again on the international stage.