Injury pushes Kiwi captain Kane Williamson out of cricket for two months

The elbow tendon injury which Kane Williamson had been nursing since the World Test Championship Final in June 2021 has ruled him out for at least two months. Williamson, despite his injury, played in the Indian Premier League's second leg, the T20 World Cup and the first Test against India.

According to New Zealand coach Gary Stead, Kane would not undergo surgery, but would have to have to rehabilitate for at least 8-9 weeks and won’t be available for selection for the home series against Bangladesh and away series against Australia.

“Kane's going along ok. Last time after the World Test Championship [final] and before the IPL and T20 World Cup was about eight or nine weeks. I expect it's somewhere in that time frame again,” Stead was quoted as saying by Stuff.co.nz

“I think surgery is unlikely. All that surgery would do is ensure that rehab is done. If we don't have to cut a tendon, our choice is not to do that,” the coach added about the procedure of the Kiwi captain’s recovery.

Stead then went on to say that Kane would most likely be back before the South Africa series where the Proteas tour the Kiwi nation for a two-match Test series which would be part of the WTC 2021-23. “He loves playing for New Zealand – he hates the thought of missing any cricket, let alone test cricket for New Zealand.”

The first Test against the touring South African side starts at Hagley Oval on February 17, which is just over 10 weeks away from now.

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