(Cricket News) Dealing with the situation concerning Kane Williamson, New Zealand coach Gary Stead has affirmed his intention to provide Kane Williamson with ample opportunities to demonstrate his fitness within the upcoming two weeks, before the World Cup squad is officially announced. However, he acknowledged that the journey ahead for the Black Caps captain is quite extensive. This acknowledgment comes as Williamson underwent surgery following a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained during the early April matches of the Indian Premier League. This injury has cast significant doubt on his availability for the 50-overs World Cup in India.
At present, the 33-year-old batter is situated in Britain with the New Zealand squad, engaging in preparations for an upcoming four-match Twenty20 series against England, which is scheduled to kick off in Durham on Wednesday.
“We have approximately two weeks from this point until the squad is revealed,” Stead informed reporters from England. “During this time, we’re committed to offering him every possible chance, capitalizing on the entirety of his rehabilitation phase. It’s noteworthy that he’s already resumed batting in practice sessions, which is indeed an encouraging sign. However, it’s essential to recognize that there’s still a significant amount of work that lies ahead to ensure he attains the desired level of readiness.”
Stead emphasized that they won’t be taking any risks while assessing the fitness of their top batsman for the upcoming tournament. The World Cup is set to commence on October 5th in Ahmedabad, featuring a highly anticipated match between New Zealand and England—a rematch of the 2019 final. In relation to Williamson’s potential availability, Stead remarked, “There exists a possibility that even if Kane is selected, he might not be immediately ready at the outset of the tournament. However, it’s also possible that he could be ready, or he might not have reached full readiness.”
“Undoubtedly, our aspiration is to have him participate in the World Cup. Nevertheless, we’re also considering the broader perspective, which encompasses Kane Williamson’s fitness throughout the span of his career. Consequently, open and sincere conversations will transpire between Kane and myself,” Stead emphasized.
Furthermore, the team announced that all-rounder Jimmy Neesham would be absent from the T20 series against England due to his return home for the birth of his first child. In his place, Cole McConchie, initially slated to return to New Zealand after participating in the warm-up victories against Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, will be taking Neesham’s spot in the squad.
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