Kane Williamson Returns To Training Ahead Of Netherlands ODIs

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has returned to training after recovering from his long-term elbow injury with an eye on making it to the team for the white-ball series against the Netherlands next month.

Williamson played a match against India last year in the first Test. He ended up missing out on the next match and was subsequently ruled out from the ongoing South Africa Test series at home.

He is one of their best batters in the lineup and Williamson has previously mentioned that he does not like missing out on Test matches, his favourite format of the game.

New Zealand defeated South Africa in the first Test by an innings and 276 runs at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. It was quite the straightforward victory at home for the Kiwis, who outbowled and outbatted a hapless Proteas outfit on a moderately tough wicket to bat on.

“Priority has to be trying to get the injury right” – Gary Stead on Kane Williamson

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead revealed that Williamson was keen on returning to the Test setup for the South Africa series but didn’t want to rush the recovery process. If his elbow flared up again, he would have to take another break.

“He was desperate to be fit for the series [against South Africa] but with the amount of loading required for Test cricket, we had to make the tough call for him to sit it out and focus on returning for the white-ball matches against the Netherlands in March.”

“Kane loves playing for the BLACKCAPS and especially in Test cricket so it was a particularly hard call. However, the priority has to be trying to get the injury right and having him available long term,” Stead mentioned.

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