New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is gearing up for his return to the field in the warm-up matches leading up to the ICC World Cup 2023. The right-handed batter sustained a knee injury during the IPL 2023 earlier this year and was ruled out of action for several months. However, he has now made a full recovery and is eager to get back on the pitch. Williamson emphasized that the warm-up matches would be crucial in assessing his readiness for the marquee event.
“There is a strong desire to be involved as much as I can. Basically, it’s just wanting to progress what I am doing now – the running, the fielding, time in the middle with the bat,” Kane Williamson said, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
“Although it’s going well, you still have days that vary a little bit. So it’s working through those warm-up games to get as much out of it as I can, and as a team, without bothering it too much. Although the load is going to keep increasing, so there is a little bit of an unknown. But it has felt pretty good really in the last few weeks,” he added.
Williamson also revealed that he is considering a change in his fielding position, intending to field inside the circle after his return to the field.
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“We will definitely consider some of that. Where I field is usually at mid-off, which will probably remain the case. Probably slightly better suited to it than square of the wicket. Potentially some slip, but I won’t be standing there if we don’t require one,” he further added.
Kane Williamson ruled out of the first match against England in the World Cup.
– He will be batting in both warm-up games. pic.twitter.com/SYYbR96uPV
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 29, 2023
The Kane Williamson-led team is scheduled to play their first warm-up match against Pakistan in Hyderabad on September 29. They will compete against South Africa in the next match in Thiruvananthapuram on October 2.
Williamson’s return to the team is a major boost for New Zealand as they look to defend their World Cup title. He is one of the most experienced and successful batsmen in the world and his presence in the team will be a huge asset.
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The warm-up matches will be a good opportunity for Williamson to get some match time and test his fitness before the tournament starts. He will be hoping to make a significant contribution to the team’s success and help them defend their World Cup title.
