New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is hoping to return after a six-month gap in the much-awaited ICC Cricket World Cup in India. The Blackcaps will begin their campaign against England on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as well. However, he tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee during the first match of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings and he had to undergo knee surgery and intense rehab in order to make a speedy recovery as well.
“It would be great. Naturally, you want to be back playing when you are fit and ready, sooner rather than later. You hope that ends up being around that World Cup time, but I’m still being very focused on the rehab day-to-day and not wanting those targets to stretch it to a point where you take a backward step,” Kane Williamson was quoted as saying by The Daily Star.
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The swashbuckling batter, who has already started batting in the nets, shared what he has been doing to be fit for the mega event as well.
“For running, it’s not quite 100 per cent, but making good progress,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gary Stead, Black Caps coach, shared that there was no fixed time for when Kane Williamson will return to action. However, he shared his happiness seeing the progress the captain is making as well.
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“It’s been really pleasing to see the progress and keep taking those little steps forward,” Stead said. “Naturally, it isn’t ideal, but I didn’t get too much of a say in it. It’s the only option I have in front of me and the prospect of playing another World Cup is really, really exciting. It’s something you always want to be a part of but I didn’t want that to dictate my rehab. At the same time, having a carrot at the back of your mind is helpful.”
