IPL 2022: Kane Williamson out of SA series – Sunrisers Hyderabad’s management might have started sweating on the fitness and availability of their skipper Kane Williamson, as the Kiwi star batsman will be unavailable for New Zealand’s upcoming Test series against South Africa. Follow IPL 2022 Auction Live and NZ vs SA Live Updates on InsideSport.
The defending champions of the ICC World Test Championship will play two Test matches against the Proteas, the first of which will start on 17th February. Their charismatic leader, Williamson was supposed to make a comeback in this series, but he is yet to recover from his elbow injury.
New Zealand squad for first Test: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Cam Fletcher (wk), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Will Young.
- Tom Latham will continue to captain the side as Kane Williamson is yet to recover from an elbow injury.
- Trent Boult also won’t be available for the first Test as he awaits the birth of his third child.
- Ajaz Patel is also out due to a left-calf injury
- Cam Fletcher and Blair Tickner have been included in the New Zealand Test squad for the first time.
- Colin de Grandhomme and Hamish Rutherford were recalled as New Zealand Cricket announced a 15-member squad for the first Test against South Africa.
- For the 28-year-old Fletcher, it was his maiden call-up to the national team in any format while Tickner has already appeared in eight T20Is for New Zealand.
IPL 2022: Sunrisers Hyderabad sweating on captain Kane Williamson’s fitness, NZ skipper to miss SA series with troubled elbow
The 31-year-old has spent the last two months on the sidelines with an elbow injury, with his last appearance being against India in a Test match in November. Since then, he has missed three Test matches – one against India and two against Bangladesh.
The New Zealand team management had previously clarified that they will take a cautious approach with the Tauranga-born cricketer and will not rush him into action unless he makes a full recovery. However, with the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League less than two months away, Sunrisers Hyderabad might be feeling their nerves, hoping that Williamson returns to action soon.
IPL 2022: Sunrisers Hyderabad sweating on captain Kane Williamson’s fitness, NZ skipper to miss SA series with troubled elbow
New Zealand head coach Gray Stead clarified his plans for the skipper to Stuff.co.nz last month by saying “The idea is to have no pain at all. In the past couple of times we’ve tried and maybe pushed him a bit early, so we’ve got to be particular around the programme.”
On being asked about whether Williamson will make a complete recovery or play through the pain barrier, Stead replied “I hope we can get to a stage where it will be like that (with no pain), but there’s no guarantee and it’s something we’ve talked about. Kane may just have to adjust how he goes about preparing and maybe not having quite as extensive net sessions in preparation periods.”
IPL 2022: Sunrisers Hyderabad sweating on captain Kane Williamson’s fitness, NZ skipper to miss SA series with troubled elbow
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