New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and pacer Kyle Jamieson have been advised by the medical team to take rest and as a result, both of them have been withdrawn for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Kane Williamson was supposed to lead the side in the series but now Mitchell Santner who has led the Blackcaps previously has been given the captain’s role for this series.
All-rounder Rachin Ravindra and fast bowler Jacob Duffy have been announced as replacements for Williamson and Jamieson. The NZC revealed that the decision regarding Williamson and Jamieson was made after keeping the team’s upcoming schedule in consideration. New Zealand has a Test series against South Africa and Australia lined up this summer.
The NZC has revealed that Kane Williamson who missed out on the action for seven months after sustaining a knee injury during IPL, will undergo a knee rehabilitation and strengthening after a lengthy spell of game time in India and Bangladesh. Kane Williamson was not completely fit during the World Cup but still played a few games for his side leading them to the Semi-Finals.
As for Jamieson, he is expected to make his return during the Test series against South Africa after suffering a hamstring injury. Kyle Jamieson will not be available for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh as well as the T20I series against Pakistan in January. He was earlier ruled out of the ongoing ODI series against Bangladesh which New Zealand is leading 2-0.
NZC Wants Kane Williamson And Kyle Jamieson To Be Fit For Upcoming Red Ball Action
“We want both Kane and Kyle to be in the best possible place leading into the next block of Test cricket against South Africa and Australia,” Gary Stead, the New Zealand coach, said in a statement. “Based on discussions with the medical staff and the players, it was decided a period of rehabilitation and conditioning was the best option for both of them.
“Jacob is an experienced T20 cricketer, and always brings a lot when he is part of the BlackCaps environment. He’s worked very hard on his white-ball skills in recent seasons. Rachin adds to any environment he’s a part of, and has a great desire to learn and develop his game – across all three formats,” he added.
The three-match T20I series against Bangladesh would have marked the return of Kane Williamson in T20Is who last played the shortest format against India last year in November. Kane Williamson will represent Gujarat Titans in the upcoming season of the IPL which is likely to be scheduled in the third week of March. New Zealand will start their preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled in June 2024.
Kane Williamson is expected to be fully fit for the Test series against Australia and South Africa. His participation in the T20I series against Pakistan is also unlikely given the NZC wants him completely fit for the upcoming summer of red-ball cricket. He will be leading the side as soon as he returns to the squad.
