NZ Vs SA: New Zealand Coach Gary Stead Provides Massive Update On Kane Williamson's Return In New Zealand's Playing 11

Injured Black Caps captain Kane Williamson has taken a significant step towards his recovery from a thumb fracture that has sidelined him for the last two Cricket World Cup matches.

Providing an update upon the team’s arrival in Pune for their upcoming match against South Africa, coach Gary Stead expressed optimism about Kane Williamson’s progress. He revealed, “Kane Williamson hit cricket balls for the first time yesterday, which is encouraging. It was a low-intensity session, but he is scheduled to train tomorrow and the day after, with the possibility of making himself available for the upcoming game.”

The decision regarding his availability, according to Stead, hinges on how Williamson fares during the next couple of days of practice. He explained, “Whether he can play or not will depend on how he performs in the training sessions over the next two days.”

Kane Williamson suffered a fractured left thumb when he was struck by a painful blow from an errant throw while running between the wickets in a match against Bangladesh. Despite the injury, the 33-year-old continued to bat for a few overs, but with New Zealand well on course to chase down Bangladesh’s 245-9, he eventually left the field to undergo an X-ray, which confirmed the fracture.

In Addition To Kane Williamson, Lockie Ferguson, And Mark Chapman Are Also Suffering From Injuries

In addition to Kane Williamson’s situation, fast bowler Lockie Ferguson and all-rounder Mark Chapman are also grappling with injuries. Stead provided updates on their conditions.

Ferguson was forced to leave the field against Australia due to a suspected Achilles injury, which was later confirmed. Stead remarked, “He’s feeling slightly better today, and tomorrow morning in Pune, he will undergo a scan. We’ll have a clearer picture of his return to play, but we’re hopeful it might be around a week. This issue has troubled him in the past, and it has resurfaced at an unfortunate time.”

Chapman’s calf injury was described as a “niggle,” and while Stead couldn’t provide a precise timeline for his return, he indicated that Chapman’s progress was positive. “He’s been dealing with a calf niggle, and we’re uncertain about his availability for the next game. However, he’s making good progress, and he’s not far from being considered for selection again.”

Reflecting on the record-breaking match against Australia, Stead lauded it as “incredible.” The game witnessed the highest combined run total in a Cricket World Cup match, with both teams scoring heavily. Stead noted, “It was an extraordinary cricket match. Scoring 380 against 370 is quite remarkable. The game was high-scoring and full of drama. Australia got off to a flying start, and we didn’t perform at our best.”

Despite the challenges, Stead expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance. He acknowledged that they missed several relatively straightforward catches but commended the efforts of certain players during the middle overs. In response to Australia’s imposing total, the Black Caps fell just five runs short of victory, with Stead stating, “With the bat, I don’t think we could have asked for much more.”

New Zealand will now face South Africa on Tuesday in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The match will be played at the MCA Stadium, Pune.