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Gary Stead, New Zealand head coach has revealed that the team management wants Kane Williamson, who has been struggling with injury for a while now, to focus on T20 cricket for the next few months, as that would make it easier to manage his workload and ensure he is available for the tour of England in June.

Kane Williamson, who has an elbow problem, is set to return for Sunrisers Hyderabad at the IPL 2022, scheduled to begin on March 26.

Gary Stead Reckons Kane Williamson Playing T20 Cricket Right Way Forward

The recurrence of the old elbow problem – which had troubled him for much of 2021 – during the New Zealand tour of India meant Kane Williamson has not played any cricket since last December. Gary Stead said that the plan was to have a fit Kane Williamson for the three Tests in England – part of the World Test Championship – starting June 2.

“Kane’s heading off to India. All the IPL guys are away this week and heading off there. That’s just part of the current cycle of what it looks like in world cricket,” Gary Stead said after New Zealand announced their squads for the series against the Netherlands, which runs from March 25 to April 4.

“He’s going really well. He’s been everywhere we want him to be and that’s great.

For us, Kane playing T20 cricket is the right way forward for the short term. It means we can manage his loads a little bit more. And we have a little bit more of a clear idea around how many balls he will be hitting to make sure he is loading the elbow progressively, with a view to him being right for the Tests in the UK which we will be really hopeful for.”

New Zealand head cricket coach Gary Stead. (Photo| EPS)

Kane Williamson played a total of five T20Is in 2021 before the T20I World Cup in October and did not feature in a single ODI last year. He also missed a few matches in the first leg of IPL 2021. The 31-year-old had opted against undergoing surgery, and instead went into rehabilitation. He had earlier planned to return to action for the Test series at home against South Africa in February this year, but that didn’t happen.

Gary Stead Excited At Prospects Of New Faces Like Michael Bracewell And Dane Cleaver Playing For Kiwis

Meanwhile, though 12 players are unavailable for the challenge against the Netherlands, Gary Stead expressed his excitement at the prospect of having new faces like Michael Bracewell and Dane Cleaver – both earned their maiden call-ups – in the squad. Michael Bracewell and Dane Cleaver were the top-two run-getters in this season’s Super Smash, New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition, scoring 478 and 369 runs, respectively.

“Every time a new player gets selected for New Zealand and plays for the Black Caps, it’s exciting for them and exciting for our team. I think the natural opportunity that’s come around with 12 guys being essentially ruled out by playing in the IPL is exciting for us,” Gary Stead said.

Michael Bracewell earns his second call-up for the Black Caps. Photosport

“We try and show loyalty to those that have been in our squad and I think that’s been part of the reason we’ve had some of the success we’ve had. We don’t make it easy to get into the teams, but Michael’s been knocking on the door for a while now. He’s a true allrounder. He’s got some great skills in all three forms of the game, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he can bring, ” Gary Stead said.

Wellington Firebirds all-rounder Michael Bracewell has been named in the Black Caps cricket team for the first time, seven months on from having to turn down his maiden call-up. He was originally selected for the New Zealand tour to Bangladesh last September but declined as he awaited the birth of his first child.

The in-form 31-year-old has been included in the T20 and ODI squads for the Netherlands tour later this month, along with uncapped Central Stags wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver, who has been picked for the one-off T20 International at Napier’s McLean Park on Friday, March 25.

The home series against the Netherlands begins with the one-off T20I on March 25, followed by the three-match ODI series – which will be a part of the World Cup Super League – from March 29.

Black Caps ODI and T20 squads for Netherlands tour

Tom Latham (c) (wk)
Doug Bracewell
Michael Bracewell
Mark Chapman
Dane Cleaver (wk) – T20 only
Colin de Grandhomme
Martin Guptill
Matt Henry
Kyle Jamieson – ODI only
Scott Kuggeleijn – T20 only
Henry Nicholls – ODI only
Ben Sears – T20 only
Ish Sodhi
Ross Taylor – ODI only
Blair Tickner
Will Young