ENG vs NZ: Kane Williamson Confirms Return To New Zealand XI For Third Test Against England In Leeds

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will be back in action as he confirmed his return to the BlackCaps XI for the upcoming third Test match against England which will be played in Headingley, Leeds from June 23^rd onwards. He had missed the second Test after contracting the Covid-19 virus.

New Zealand is already 0-2 down in the three-Test series after losing at Lord’s and Nottingham. Tom Latham had captained New Zealand in absence of Kane Williamson in the Nottingham Test.

Kane Williamson confirmed that both Neil Wagner and Ajaz Patel are part of the 13-man squad and will be in consideration for the 3rd Test.

It’s Great To Be Back In The Fold: Kane Williamson To Be Back For New Zealand In 3rd Test

Williamson shed light on his experience of remaining in isolation after contracting Covid-19 as he spent the week in a New Zealand team hotel in his room recovering from the virus. He watched as Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow hammered New Zealand bowling on the fifth and final day of the second Test to chase down 299 runs.

Speaking to the press on the eve of the 3rd Test, Williamson said: “It was obviously pretty frustrating to miss the last Test through Covid but it’s great to be back in the fold.”

Williamson also talked about watching the second Test match and the final day chase by England from his hotel room on TV.

“It was a Test where both teams put their front foot forward, played some shots, it was fast-scoring and in the balance like the first Test,” he said. “I don’t shout at the TV. I watch and observe, it’s always interesting seeing it from a different perspective, although it wasn’t my preferable place to be.

It was interesting to watch and connect from the other side a little bit. There was a lot of effort that went into the match. It was an amazing knock from Jonny, and that’s cricket. You do have to applaud the quality England have come in with,” he said.

England confirmed that Ben Stokes overcame his illness and would lead in the 3rd Test in Leeds. James Anderson misses out due to injury and Jamie Overton is all set to make his England Test debut.

Also Read: ENG vs NZ: Jimmy’s Not Pulled Up As Much As We’d Like To So Jamie Overton Is Going To Make His Debut – Ben Stokes