Kane Williamson, the ex-New Zealand captain, will miss the second Test against India at the MCA Stadium in Pune as he nurses a groin strain, New Zealand Cricket revealed in a media release on October 22.
Williamson was deemed unavailable for the opening Test in Bengaluru as he was recovering from the injury he picked up during the Test series against Sri Lanka. He went about his recovery program in New Zealand and will continue to do so as he eyes match fitness.
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead expressed hope that Williamson will be good to go for the third Test. “We’re monitoring Kane and he’s tracking in the right direction, but isn’t yet 100% fit,” said Stead. We’re hopeful to see further improvement over the coming days and have him available for the third Test. We’ll give him as much time as possible to get himself ready, but certainly continue to take a cautious approach.”
New Zealand clinched the opening Test by 8 wickets, ending a 36-year drought for a Test win in India. The second Test gets underway on October 24 while the third and final Test kicks off in Mumbai from November 1.
Squad News | Kane Williamson will not be available for the BLACKCAPS second Test match against India, as he continues his rehabilitation from a groin strain 🏏 #INDvNZ https://t.co/IE0uoYPZWt
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 22, 2024