ICC World Cup 2023: Tim Southee and Tom Latham Front-Runners To Captain New Zealand In World Cup In The Absence Of Kane Williamson

Premier pacer Tim Southee and keeper-batter Tom Latham could well be in contention to captain New Zealand in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 later this year. Although there’s no official confirmation, these two have emerged to be front runners.

This comes after regular skipper Kane Williamson suffered a horrific knee injury in the opening game of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), which has put his availability for the World Cup in jeopardy.

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Since his injury, there have been many speculations about who will captain New Zealand in his absence. Head coach Gary Stead spoke about the two possible candidates in Tim Southee and Tom Latham. Speaking to reports, he said(as quoted by ESPNCricinfo): 

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“That’s something that still needs to be worked out. Tim is captaining the Test team as well. Tom has had plenty of white-ball experience for us in the past. Thought he captained really well [in Pakistan] with a number of guys he didn’t know much about and that’s always a challenge.” 

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Every opportunity Daryl gets in a number of different positions he keeps putting his hand up – Gary Stead 

With Kane Williamson likely to be ruled out, some senior player needs to put his hand up and take up the No.3 position. As of now, Daryl Mitchell has emerged as one because of his heroics in Pakistan and the other is Will Young, who too had a decent series against Pakistan. 

Also Read: ICC World Cup 2023: Despite Injury, Kane Williamson To Travel To ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Gary Stead said that Daryl Micthell has shown his value to the team at different positions and also spoke about how Will Young has impressed them. He added: 

“Every opportunity Daryl gets in a number of different positions he keeps putting his hand up. He’s shown his value to the team overall. [Will’s] had a really good start to his international career, especially the white-ball game, and he’s had some of the Associate teams where he’s scored big runs but it was really pleasing to see how he went against what is a real quality attack when you think of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan.”

Recently, Gary Stead said that if Kane Williamson doesn’t get fit in the time of the World Cup, they will take him along as a mentor in the squad as his presence will be of great value to young players.

Also Read: IND vs AUS: Aaron Finch Feels Jasprit Bumrah’s Absence In ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Will Be A Big Blow To India

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