New Zealand captain Kane Williamson had also missed the ODI World Cup 2023 opener against England due to injury.
Hyderabad: For the second game in a row, New Zealand will be missing captain Kane Williamson in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, head coach Gary Stead confirmed on Sunday. However, in good news, Lockie Ferguson will be available against the Netherlands while a call on Tim Southee will be taken after an X-ray on Sunday. New Zealand, who won the tournament opener against England by nine wickets, take on the Dutch on Monday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
“Lockie Ferguson got through the training really well, so he will be available against Netherlands. Tim Southee also got through the training really well. It was great top see him back in the bowling crease, also did a little bit of fielding as well. He will need a final X-ray done this morning (Sunday) and then we can take a final call on him,” Stead said in a video posted by NZC.
“Kane has also been progressing very well. I think the fielding is still the element that he needs to get little bit higher and more accustomed to the body. He is progressing really well and we are pretty confident that he will be playing the third match for us,” he added.
Head coach Gary Stead with an update on injuries after Game 1 and the team’s first training in Hyderabad. #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/4PXe8lXhYt
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“He has got another training before we can finalise the team for Netherlands game but at this stage it is pretty clear that Kane is starting the tournament from the third match.” After the Netherlands game, the Kiwis travel to Chennai to play Bangladesh in their third game.