On Wednesday, New Zealand included Kane Williamson, a rampaging run-scorer, in the squad which will tour India, although he may not play the first Test for at least some time owing to a groin injury that is still not fully healed. Williamson will hold off on making the trip to India for some time as he has to recover from an injury that he aggravated during last month’s lost expedition in Sri Lanka. After all, according to selector Sam Wells, the first Test against India in Bengaluru, on 16 October, will come too soon for the former captain, who is aged 34, but he is being ‘optimistic’ that there will be a chance of selection for him later in the series.
“What has come from our medical team is that the wisest course of action is for Kane to take a break and do rehabilitation at this stage rather than take the chance of making the injury worst,” said Wells in a statement released by New Zealand Cricket.
“We’re hopeful that if the rehabilitation goes to plan, Kane will be available for the latter part of the tour.”
Williamson felt pain in his groin and opted out of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle where an uncompetitive series ended with New Zealand losing 2-0.
In an effort to replace the 41-Test veteran aggrieved by injury, uncapped batsman Mark Chapman has joined the 16-man squad as Williamson’s cover.
The veteran batsman is the highest testes scorer from New Zealand accumulating 8881 runs in 102 tests at an average of 54.48.
New Zealand’s prospects against the away side would be seriously impacted owing to his absence as India has enjoyed winning streak of eighteen test series at home.
Tim Latham will captain the squad, with Tim Southee having stepped down from the captaincy following the heavy loss in Sri Lanka.
However, veteran pacer Southee remains part of the squad.
All-rounder Michael Bracewell will be available for the first Test before returning home for the birth of his child.
He will miss the Pune and Mumbai matches and instead leg-spinner Ish Sodhi will take his place.
New Zealand: Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell (first 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 (second and third Tests only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young
