(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] New Zealand white-ball captain Kane Williamson has again found himself at the center of another injury, which has possibly ruled him out of the remainder of the ongoing T20I series against Pakistan.
Williamson complained of a tight right hamstring while batting in the second T20I on Sunday in Hamilton and got retired hurt after scoring 26 runs from 15 deliveries. Tim Southee led the side in his absence, helping the hosts win the game by 21 runs.
As the 33-year-old has had a tough last year or so, experiencing a knee injury due to a ruptured ACL, he was already given the rest from the third T20I. However, as the things stand now, Williamson is likely to be ruled out of the series altogether, meaning he will not play the upcoming three T20Is.
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead hinted about Williamson’s unavailability, asserting that the nearing Test series against South Africa and Australia hold more priority than the T20Is versus Pakistan.
Williamson is due for a scan and his further participation will depend upon its result.
“It’s the same leg as what his knee injury was on. He’s gone home to Tauranga. He’ll get a scan today. Until I know more about the scan, then I haven’t got any further update at this stage. Will Young was going to join the team anyway for this [part of the] series. Kane wasn’t going to join. I think it’s likely that Will will stay on, but until we get the scan results from Kane, then we can’t make a further decision,” Stead said as quoted
“I think it’s unlikely he will play. I mean with the Test matches so close as well and probably in the big scheme of things in the short term for us has higher priority then I think it’s likely we’ll try and make sure that he’s right for that,” he added.
New Zealand had added Will Young as Williamson’s replacement for the third T20I and if the latter is not fit, he will stay with the side. Tim Seifert is an obvious option to fill in Williamson’s place in the XI.