The New Zealand Skipper Kane Williamson will be missing their side’s second World Cup match against the Netherlands.
Williamson ruled out for Netherlands clash
New Zealand is scheduled to play its second match in the World Cup 2023 against the Netherlands on October 9. With their skipper rested for their upcoming match, he is expected to return for the match against Bangladesh.
Kane Williamson who batted in the warmup games against Pakistan and South Africa, was rested in the first match of their World Cup games. Earlier he sustained a torn ACL injury during the opening match of the IPL 2023.
On this occasion, the team’s head coach Gary Stead gave an update on the player saying, “Kane’s been progressing very well,” on Sunday.
“I think the fielding is still the element for him that he’s just got to get a little bit higher, and he gets a little bit more trust in his body. But he’s progressing really well and we are pretty confident that he will be playing the third match for us.”
“We’ve got another training to get through today, so we’ll finalize the team (for the match against the Netherlands once we’ve got through that training.
“But at this stage with Kane, we are looking like the third game is when he will start the tournament.”
New Zealand won the first match of the World Cup 2023 against England with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra scoring hundreds for a quick victory. The World Cup opener match was a replica of the finals in World Cup 2019 with England winning the title. But New Zealand spinners were able to turn the tables against England on the World Cup openers.
On winning the toss New Zealand Chose to bowl first. Bairstow and Malan opened the innings for England while Trent Boult opened the attack. England’s Joe Root was impressive as he scored 77 runs after the dismissal of Malan by Matt Henry.
England Skipper Jos Buttler helped the side with his 43 runs but was dismissed by Matt Henry in the 34th over. New Zealand bowlers dismissed England batters at regular intervals through their intensified bowling attacks. By the end of 50 overs, England scored 282 runs losing 9 wickets.
With the target of 283 runs, Devon Conway and Will Young opened the innings for New Zealand, while Chris Woakes opened the bowling attack. Will Young was sent out on a duck by Sam Curran on the first ball of the second over. Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra joined forces and broke through the terrific bowling attacks from England bowlers.
They had a partnership score of 273* through which they joined the list of Highest Partnerships in the World Cup. Rachin Ravindra was impressive through his impressive knock of 123* on 96 deliveries that included 11 boundaries and 5 sixes.
Devon Conway had an individual score of 152* runs on 121 deliveries including 19 boundaries and 3 sixes. On the 37th over, New Zealand scored 283 runs losing only one wicket, and won the match with 89 balls remaining.
New Zealand’s side will be boosted by the availability of Tim Southee and Ferguson for their upcoming actions.
“Lockie Ferguson got through that training really well. So providing he’s scrubbed up okay this morning, he will be available for this next game,” Stead said.
“Tim Southee also got through the training really well. It was great to see him back at the bowling crease and also doing a little bit of fielding.
“He will just get a final x-ray done this morning and then we will make a call after that, but it’s all looking good for selection from now on and into the rest of the tournament.”
The match will kick start at 2:00 PM IST on October 9 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
