Last Update on: August 9th, 2023 at 03:01 pm
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead stated that the team management is considering the possibility of including Kane Williamson in their 2023 ODI World Cup squad. Gary Stead stated that they would select Kane Williamson even if had to miss a few group-stage matches in the tournament.
Kane Williamson has been sidelined due to a knee injury he sustained during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. The Black Caps skipper is currently recovering from the injury. Although the batter has resumed batting in the nets, a complete return to the field is still a considerable distance away.
Making Sure We Don’t Cross That Line – Gary Stead
Gary Stead highlighted that they are cautious about Kane Williamson‘s knee injury and need to strike a balance between pushing his recovery and avoiding further damage.
“I think that’s something we are talking about at the moment. If it’s the knockout stages, I think that might be too late because you’re really saying something that you may or may not even be there, but if it was earlier in the World Cup we’d definitely be considering it,” Stead said.
“Obviously with the knee and the way it is we have to be careful with how that twists, so he’s still in that healing and rehab phase, so it’s getting that fine balance between pushing him as far as he can go but making sure we don’t cross that line and do more damage,” he added.
The 33-year-old wasn’t included in the 15-player squad for their four-match ODI series in England, which is their penultimate series before the World Cup. However, he will travel with the team and continue his rehabilitation process.
Kane Williamson Is Working Very Much – Gary Stead
Gary Stead acknowledged the unpredictability of ACL injuries and emphasized their focus on short-term progress rather than raising high hopes about Williamson’s participation in the World Cup.
“Again it’s too early to know. Kane is working very much on a day-by-day, week-by-week process and we’ve been really clear and careful with him that we don’t look too far ahead and get expectations too big or not big enough at times,” he further stated.
“He’s progressed as we’ve hoped and possibly even better in some cases, but you know with ACL injuries that they can be difficult,” he concluded.
The Kiwi team will commence their World Cup campaign with a match against the defending champions England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5. Tom Latham is set to lead the national team in the absence of Kane Williamson.
Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: WATCH – Kane Williamson, Gary Stead Provide Huge Update On Batter’s Fitness