Father-to-be Kane Williamson Not To Play 2nd Test Against West Indies, Leaves New Zealand Camp To Be With His Wife

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has decided not to play the upcoming second Test against West Indies as he prepares to become a first-time father. The batting star was set to play in the upcoming game but has finally decided against it due to family commitments.

He has reached an agreement with New Zealand head coach Gary Stead  about being back home. While the rest of the New Zealand team headed to Wellington last week following the first Test in Hamilton, Kane Williamson returned to his home city of Tauranga to be with his pregnant wife Sarah for a midwife’s appointment.

Earlier, the New Zealand star had announced that he and his wife are expecting their first child in “mid-to-late December”. According to TVNZ, Kane Williamson initially agreed to play and returned to Wellington to be with the side befpre his availability changed once again later today.

“Kane is going to return to Mt Maunganui tonight to be with Sarah,” Stead said this afternoon.

“It’s a decision we’ve come to around the best interest for him, for Sarah, and also our team long term in terms of him being in a good place to be with Sarah as well. He’s not the first person to have a baby and miss a match – our thoughts are with him and Sarah… Kane needs to be there,” he added.

Missing Kane Williamson will be definitely a big blow for New Zealand. The right-handed batsman had played a sublime knock of 251 runs in the first Test to power his side to an innings victory. Stead further said that Tom Latham will lead the team while Will Young will come in at three for the side as the “logical” replacement.

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