Boost For New Zealand As Kane Williamson Hopeful To Play Third ODI Against India

New Zealand have received a big boost ahead of the third ODI against India as their captain Kane Williamson has said he is hopeful of being fit for the clash. The star batsman has been sidelined after suffering a shoulder injury during the third T20I against India last month.

He missed the last two T20Is as well as the first two ODIs of the ongoing series as he recovered from an inflamed AC joint niggle in his left-shoulder. While X-ray scans “cleared him of anything serious”, New Zealand did not take any chance with their star man and gave him the rest.

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But Kane Williamson has now himself stated that he is hopeful of playing the third and final ODI on February 11. Speaking to Sky Sports, the right-handed batsman said that his injured shoulder is recovering well and is hopeful of recovering in time for the final game of the series.

On Track!
Kane Williamson confirms to @skysportnz that his left shoulder injury is progressing well & he’s hopeful of being fit for game 3 at the Mount on Tuesday #NZvIND #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/PEQLzblSle

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 8, 2020

Before the injury, Kane Williamson was in good form. In the three T20Is against India, he scored two fifties including a knock of 95 in the third game. However, both of his fifties went in vain as India won both the games and went on to clean sweep the five-match series.

In his absence, Tim Southee had led the T20I side. On the other hand, Tom Latham has been leading the ODI team. Latham made an immediate impact by guiding the Black Caps to a win in the first ODI. He scored an impressive fifty as New Zealand chased down 348 to take the lead in the three-match series.

However, the hosts are in a bother of spot in the ongoing second game. At the time of compiling this report, they were reeling at 249 for 8 in the 48th over after being asked to bat.