Expect Kane Williamson to skip the early part of New Zealand’s Test series against India due to a groin strain he sustained in Sri Lanka.
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WILLIAMSON TO SKIP EARLY PART OF NZ-INDIA TEST SERIES DUE TO GROIN STRAIN
Expect Williamson to skip the early part of the NZ-India Test series due to a groin strain that forced him to stay home.
Furthermore, the 34-year-old former team captain delayed his departure for India to recover from the injury.
Williamson will likely sit out the first Test in Bengaluru on October 16.
However, selector Sam Wells remains “hopeful” that the ex-team captain will return at some point in the second or third Test.
Williamson felt discomfort with his groin during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, where the Kiwis absorbed a 2-0 series whitewash.
CHAPMAN REPLACES WILLIAMSON IN FIRST TEST
Moreover, Mark Chapman replaced Williamson in the first Test against India.
Furthermore, the uncapped batsman will join a team led by Tom Lathan, who will replace Tim Southee as New Zealand skipper.
“The advice we’ve received is that the best course of action is for Kane (Williamson) to rest and rehabilitate now rather than risk aggravating the injury,” Wells said.
“We’re hopeful that the rehabilitation goes to plan, Kane will be available for the latter part of the tour,” he added.
Moreover, Williamson remains New Zealand’s top Test run-scorer with 8881 runs from 102 matches at an average of 54.48.
WELLS OPTIMISTIC CHAPMAN, OTHER NZ CRICKETERS TO STEP UP IN WILLIAMSON’S ABSENCE
Furthermore, Wells is optimistic that Chapman and other Kiwi cricketers will step up in Williamson’s absence in the first Test.
“While it’s obviously disappointing to not have Kane available from the start of the tour, it provides an opportunity for someone else to play a role in an important series,” Wells said.
That “someone” could be Chapman, who is set to make his Test debut after playing 78 white-ball matches for the Black Caps.
Moreover, the left-hander played six first-class matches for New Zealand A, highlighted by a century against India A in 2020.
However, Chapman has not played for New Zealand’s A team since 2022, when he converted 92 and 45 in a first-class match in Bengaluru.
He posted scores of 123 against Otago and 83 off 68 in his final innings against Central Districts as part of three Plunket Shield matches for Auckland last summer.
