New Zealand head coach Gary Stead has warned skipper Kane Williamson against going aggressive in the net practice after his troubled elbow got injured during the warm-up games in the build-up of the T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE and Oman.
Williamson played in the warm-up game against England but did not come out to bat during New Zealand’s chase of 164. He also missed the first warm-up game against the Netherlands but returned for the second warm-up match against Australia and top-scored with 37 runs off 30 balls.
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He aggravated his injured elbow during the game against Australia and is now advised by head coach Gary Stead to go easy in the net sessions.
“I think we’re still pretty hopeful and confident that if we get the rest right, initially here now, and get that balance right then he should be right to play,” Stead said.
“I mean Kane is a prodigious hitter of balls, he loves to prepare that way as well, and in some ways that’s probably the worst thing he can do, is over-hit at times. So, it’s really [about] getting that balance right, between feeling ready and feeling prepared to go, and making sure we don’t aggravate anything any further.”
Mark Chapman also missed the game against the Netherlands with an injured hamstring before returning against England in the middle order. Tim Seifert, who was suffering from an abdominal strain, came back against England to open the batting and wicketkeeping.
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“Good to have Tim [Seifert] back, he just had a very minor abdominal strain and so he’s recovered well. Played full part today and no issues at all. Mark [Chapman] had his first run back for a while as well and got through the games nicely, so again we will see how he scrubs up tomorrow morning when the physio looks at him; just to check over where he’s at,” stead further added.
“Kane’s elbow has just flared up a little bit after the last match and so it was more precautionary than anything. We just feel if we can get his preparation right in terms of not over-hitting and aggravating it through training, then it gives him the best chance to be right through the tournament. I think on the whole we’re tracking pretty well.”
New Zealand will begin their campaign against Pakistan on October 26 in Sharjah.
