Last Update on: August 1st, 2023 at 05:24 pm
New Zealand star Kane Williamson is in a race against time to be fit for the all-important ICC World Cup 2023. The right-handed batsman suffered a knee injury while fielding during the match between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings in the very first game of IPL 2023.
The star played had jumped up on the deep square leg boundary and managed to save a six but ended up landing awkwardly on his right leg. Kane Williamson had to be stretchered off and was ruled out of the entire IPL. Scans later revealed that Kane Williamson had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.
In April, he underwent surgery as his chances of playing in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 looked slim. Earlier reports from New Zealand also suggested that if Kane Williamson fails to recover in time for the World Cup, he is likely to travel with the team to India as a mentor.
Kane Williamson still hopeful of playing in World Cup 2023:
However, news from June stated that Kane Williamson was still harboring hopes of representing New Zealand in the World Cup. And he has taken a big step towards his goal as the right-handed batsman has resumed batting in the nets. Kane Williamson posted a short clip of him batting on Instagram on August 1 with the caption “Nice to be back in the nets with the bat in hand for a few throws.”
Great news for cricket fans.
Kane Williamson has started the batting practice. [Williamson Instagram] pic.twitter.com/slksSph61F
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 1, 2023
“Very much just trying to keep it week-to-week at the moment,” Williamson had said in June. “I haven’t had such a long-term injury before but talking to other people that have, the journey is a bit of a long one so if you look too far ahead, it probably can become a little bit daunting.
“Whereas, one week at a time, ticking off those small markers, those little wins that are nice to experience. But also knowing that the journey won’t be completely smooth and you have a few setbacks along the way that you have to navigate,” he added.
Meanwhile, the World Cup is still over three months away. The tournament is scheduled to begin on October 5 in Ahmedabad. New Zealand will be in action on the very first day of the competition when they take on reigning champions England.
