NZ vs SA: Kane Williamson Ruled Out Of Crucial South Africa Game, To Be Assessed Again Before Pakistan Clash

Kane Williamson will not be making his much-awaited return to action in the upcoming game between New Zealand and South Africa in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

The New Zealand captain has played just one game in the tournament so far due to injuries. In his absence, Tom Latham has been leading the team. He was not a part of the playing XI for New Zealand’s first two games against England and the Netherlands as he was still not match-fit after recovering from an ACL tear that he had sustained during the IPL opener in late March this year.

After being sidelined for almost six months, Kane Williamson made his much-anticipated return to action during the game against Bangladesh and scored a brilliant fifty before suffering another injury. While taking a quick single, he received a painful blow on his thumb from a throw. X-ray scans later revealed an ‘undisplaced fracture’ in his left thumb.

Kane Williamson out of South Africa clash:

Kane Williamson sustained the injury on October 13 and reports suggested that he would be fit to play by the end of the month. As a result, he was expected to play in the upcoming game against South Africa, scheduled to take place on Wednesday (November 1).

But a few hours before the start of the game, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has confirmed that their star batsman won’t be taking part in the game. NZC delivered a positive update too, stating that Kane Williams batted in the nets but is still not fit to play in a competitive match. He will undergo another assessment before New Zealand’s next game which is against Pakistan.

“Kane Williamson has been ruled out of Wednesday’s match against @ProteasMenCSA. Williamson has batted in the nets the last two days but has been ruled out of a return to match action tomorrow,” read the statement from NZC.

“He will be assessed again ahead of the side’s next match against @TheRealPCB,” added the statement.

Kane Williamson has been ruled out of Wednesday’s match against @ProteasMenCSA.

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 @TheRealPCB. #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/c8TIJRe7cT

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 31, 2023

Meanwhile, New Zealand will be desperate to get back to winning ways after losing their last two games. The Black Caps began their campaign with four wins in a row before losing against India and Australia. While they are still looking set to make it to the semifinals, another defeat could very well put them in a spot of bother. They are currently in the third spot in the points table with 4 wins and 2 losses.