Kane Williamson to miss start of India Test series due to groin strain

By SMCS - Oct 9, 2024 9:20 am

Veteran New Zealand batter Kane Williamson’s departure to India will be delayed and he is going to miss the first Test in Bengaluru due to a groin strain he sustained recently. However, he experienced discomfort during the second Test against Sri Lanka and will need to undergo rehabilitation before joining the team in India as well, New Zealand Cricket informed in a media release on Wednesday (October 9).

Sam Wells, the New Zealand selector, expressed hope that Kane Williamson will be available to play later in the series after finishing his rehabilitation.

“The advice we’ve received is that the best course of action is for Kane to rest and rehabilitate now rather than risk aggravating the injury. We’re hopeful that if the rehabilitation goes to plan Kane will be available for the latter part of the tour. While it’s obviously disappointing to not have Kane available from the start of the tour, it provides an opportunity for someone else to play a role in an important series.”

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However, Mark Chapman, who is uncapped in the longer format, will join the squad as cover for Williamson as well. Chapman, a regular in New Zealand’s white-ball squads, has an average of 41.9 in first-class cricket, with six centuries, including one against India A in 2020 as well. He smashed 245 runs in three matches in the Plunket Shield last summer, including 123 against Otago Volts as well.

“We believe Mark is one of our best players of spin and has a proven track-record in the sub-continent,” said Wells. “Mark has displayed an ability to play spin proactively in the international arena, and combined with his excellent first-class record, we see him as someone who can succeed in the type of conditions we expect to encounter in India.”

However, Michael Bracewell will travel with the team for the first Test before returning home for the birth of his second child as well. He will also be replaced by Ish Sodhi for the reminder of the series.

New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (2nd and 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young

Tags Devon ConwayKane WilliamsonMark ChapmanMatt HenryMichael BracewellNew ZealandTom BlundellTom Latham

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