Injury Sidelines Kane Williamson for South Africa Match, Pakistan Assessment Awaits
New Zealand’s captain, Kane Williamson, will remain sidelined due to a thumb injury and is unlikely to play against South Africa in the ongoing World Cup match, as confirmed by the Blackcaps on November 1.
Williamson sustained the thumb injury during a match against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai earlier in the tournament. While completing a run, a throw from the deep hit his left hand, leading to his retirement with a score of 78. Subsequent X-ray scans revealed a fracture in his thumb.
In an official statement, the Blackcaps mentioned, “Williamson has batted in the nets the last two days but has been ruled out of a return to match action tomorrow. He will be assessed again ahead of the side’s next match against Pakistan.”
Following Williamson’s injury, the New Zealand team management brought in Tom Blundell as his replacement. New Zealand coach Gary Stead expressed his hope that the 33-year-old Williamson would return to action in the later stages of the tournament, acknowledging his crucial role as a world-class player and captain.
Williamson’s injury marked a setback to his comeback after an extended period of being sidelined due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury during his first match for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year.
In Williamson’s absence, Tom Latham will continue to lead the New Zealand side. Under Latham’s captaincy, the 2019 World Cup finalists currently occupy the third position on the points table.
The upcoming match against South Africa holds significant importance for New Zealand, as they aim to recover from two consecutive defeats. A victory in this match would substantially improve their chances of securing a spot in the tournament’s semifinals, while a loss could complicate their situation.
With inputs from various agencies, the situation remains dynamic as New Zealand navigates the tournament without their star player, Kane Williamson.
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By- Sahiba Suri