Test cricket will suit Kane Williamson, says New Zealand coach Gary Stead

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is going through a rough patch as his fab four companions, Steve Smith and Virat Kohli. The Kiwi-skipper, playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), could not do much in the ongoing 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), making just 213 runs at an average of 19.63.

With New Zealand's opening Test against England just a few weeks away, head coach Gary Stead has backed the national skipper to get his form back in the three-Test series.

"He's a bit disappointed he hasn't got the runs he wanted during the IPL. You don't often see the great players often miss out perhaps as much as he has, but I think what we have to understand, coming back into red-ball cricket, I think that will suit where he's at with his game, his temperament as well," Stead explained.

Williamson, who is currently back home in New Zealand for the birth of his second child, is expected to travel to England sometime last week. 

Many New Zealand players will be back from playing in the IPL, like Devon Conway, Tim Southee, and Mitchell Santner, whose franchises have been eliminated from the league stage itself.

Fast bowler Trent Boult and all-rounder Daryl Mitchell's availability will depend on whether the Rajasthan Royals progress into the play-offs.

The visitors are scheduled to play their second warm-up game against County Select XI, which starts on May 26, ahead of the first Test at Lord's. 

On Boult and Daryl's availability, Stead said, "That'll be something that'll just play out in the next week or so."

Left-arm quick Neil Wagner, who has opted to be with the family on occasion for his second child's birth, will miss the warm-up against Sussex starting Sunday. Apart from Wager, Henry Nicholls will also sit out the match against the County side due to an injury.