New Zealand’s former captain and star batter Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the first Test against India, following a groin injury sustained during the second Test against Sri Lanka. Williamson, who was expected to lead the charge for the Blackcaps, will now undergo rehabilitation before potentially joining the squad later in the series.
The New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) confirmed the development in a press release, stating that Williamson’s arrival in India would be delayed. Chief selector Sam Wells expressed optimism about his return, highlighting that the team’s primary focus is to ensure his full recovery.
Wells commented, “Our medical team believes it’s best for Kane to focus on his rehabilitation now rather than risk worsening the injury. We’re hopeful he’ll be available later in the series. While it’s a setback to start without him, this situation opens up opportunities for other players to step up.”
Mark Chapman to Replace Kane Williamson in NZ Squad
In Williamson’s absence, uncapped player Mark Chapman has been called up as his replacement. Known for his consistent performances in the limited-overs format, Chapman has shown promise in first-class cricket, boasting an average of 41.9 with six centuries. His experience against India A in 2020 makes him a strong candidate to fill the void left by Williamson.
Additionally, Michael Bracewell will feature only in the first Test, after which he will return home for the birth of his second child. Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi is set to replace Bracewell for the remainder of the series.
The Tom Latham-led squad will begin their Test campaign against India at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 16, aiming to make an impact despite the absence of their key player, Kane Williamson.
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.
