Despite suffering a knee injury, Kane Williamson is set to be included in New Zealand’s World Cup squad
Kane Williamson to Feature in New Zealand Squad for World Cup Despite Knee Injury
New Zealand cricket captain Kane Williamson is set to be included in the squad for the upcoming 50-over World Cup, despite recovering from a knee injury. The 33-year-old has been sidelined since tearing his cruciate ligaments during the Indian Premier League in April.
Despite concerns over his fitness, New Zealand officials have stated that Williamson has made significant progress and will be picked for the tournament. However, it remains uncertain whether he will be fully fit for their first game against England on October 5th.
“We are thrilled to have him available for selection,” said New Zealand coach Gary Stead. “He has left no stone unturned in his efforts to return to top-level cricket.”
The duration of the World Cup allows room for monitoring Williamson’s progress leading up to the first match. Although initially deemed unlikely by team management due to rehabilitation timelines, his dedication and commitment have paid off.
“Throughout this entire process, I’ve maintained an open mind about my return and avoided fixating on a specific date or match,” noted Williamson. “Being selected doesn’t change that mindset; there’s still work ahead as we aim towards getting back on field with the team.”
While he was not named in both T20 and one-day international squads touring England at present, Williamson has been actively participating in batting sessions during training alongside fielding drills.
A Crucial Asset to New Zealand Cricket
Kane Williamson holds a pivotal role within New Zealand’s cricket setup as their former captain who led them through an intense battle against England during the 2019 World Cup final at Lord’s. He boasts impressive statistics across all formats of cricket with 6,554 runs in 161 ODIs at an average of 47.83.
The World Cup’s five-week round-robin format, followed by semi-finals and a final, offers the possibility for Williamson to enter the tournament midway if his recovery progresses well. The rest of New Zealand’s squad is scheduled to be announced on September 11th.
Currently, England holds a 2-1 lead in their T20 series against New Zealand, with the fourth match set to take place at Trent Bridge before four ODIs follow.