T20 World Cup 2021: Kane Williamson Just Had A Slight Hamstring Twinge, He's Fine - NZ Coach Gary Stead
New Zealand cricket team head coach Gary Stead gave an update regarding the injury concerns of skipper, Kane Williamson. The 31-year-old Williamson suffered a hamstring injury ahead of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) final league match against Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2021.
Stead has revealed that the injury is of no concern and Williamson is well on his way to recover fully. He should be completely fine before the Kiwis’ first match of the T20 World Cup against Pakistan.
“Kane’s fine. He’s just had a very, very slight hamstring twinge, but he’s getting through everything at the moment, he’s feeling good. They [Sunrisers Hyderabad] were out of the competition as well, so I’m not sure if that was something he had to play in,” Stead mentioned.
Shane Bond working with the spin department ahead of the T20 World Cup – Gary Stead
Mumbai Indians bowling coach Shane Bond joined the Black Caps’ camp alongside Williamson, James Neesham, and Adam Milne. Gary Stead revealed that Bond has joined the team working on the spin department to devise strategies for the T20 World Cup.
“So, Bondie came in, in the last couple of days as well, when Mumbai were knocked out. He’s working specifically with the spin bowlers in the tournament for us as well.”
“So, he’s been great and it provides another set of hands for Shane [Jurgensen] when you look at a large number in the squad are bowlers. He’s working with the spinners, in particular, and just around their strategies,” Stead added.
The head coach also revealed that the Kiwis are trying to get accustomed to the UAE heat ahead of the tournament. They will use the time to focus on keeping the fluids up and improve fitness as much as they can. New Zealand plays their first match of the ICC event against Pakistan on October 26.
