Kane Williamson, New Zealand captain, is set to miss the ICC World Cup 2023 opener against England which will be played on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Williamson is still recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while fielding in the first match of IPL 2023.
It looked like Williamson might miss the World Cup altogether, but he has recovered well enough to be named as the captain of the New Zealand team for the ICC World Cup 2023. New Zealand played a couple of warm-up games ahead of this first encounter against Pakistan and South Africa. Williamson wants to test his surgically repaired knee by playing a part in one if not both the games.
“There is a strong desire to be involved as much as I can. Basically, it’s just wanting to progress what I am doing now – the running, the fielding, time in the middle with the bat. Although it’s going well, you still have days that vary a little bit. So it’s working through those warm-up games to get as much out of it as I can, and as a team, without bothering it too much. Although the load is going to keep increasing, so there is a little bit of an unknown. But it has felt pretty good really in the last few weeks,” the 33-year-old was quoted by Cricbuzz.
Williamson stated that he might look at changing his fielding position when he returns to the field following the injury.
Kane Williamson To Miss World Cup 2023 Opener Vs. England; To Play Only As A Batter In Pakistan Warm-Up Match
Kane Williamson will miss the opening game of the ICC Cricket World Cup against England, as he continues to progress his knee rehabilitation. Williamson will play as a batsman-only in today’s first warm-up match against Pakistan in Hyderabad, with the aim of batting and fielding in Monday’s second and final warm-up against South Africa in Trivandrum.
Coach Gary Stead said the priority was ensuring Williamson had time to progress his return to match fitness.
“Right from the start we’ve taken a long-term view on Kane’s return to play. His recovery is tracking well and it’s now a matter of making sure he can cope with the rigors and intensity of international cricket. We’ll continue to take a day-by-day approach to Kane’s rehabilitation and certainly won’t be putting any pressure on him to return before he is ready,” he was quoted by New Zealand Cricket.
Team News | Kane Williamson will miss the opening game of the @cricketworldcup against England, as he continues to progress his knee rehabilitation. Williamson will play as a batsman-only in today's first warm-up match against Pakistan. https://t.co/8rRQZ2trvV #CWC23
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 29, 2023
Tom Latham will captain the side in today’s first warm-up match against Pakistan in Hyderabad and against England in CWC 2023 opener as well.
