NZ vs SL | Kane Williamson To Join New Zealand Squad Late For Christchurch Test
Williamson recently scored his 26th Test ton [Twitter]
Former New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is set to join the Test squad late ahead of their first Test against Sri Lanka, which begins March 9. Williamson will be attending a memorial service for his grandmother Joan Williamson-Orr on Wednesday. Her grandmother was a former mayor of Taupo, who passed away last week aged 92.
Williamson, who became New Zealand's leading run-getter in Tests following his match-winning 26th hundred against England at Basin Reserve last weekend, will rejoin the Black Caps side sometime Wednesday.
Captain Tim Southee, speaking to the media, confirmed that Williamson is managing to find time to practice with the Northern Districts side.
Here's what Southee said
"On behalf of the team, I think everyone is feeling for Kane at the moment, and he is in the best place he can be. And that is with, in and around, his family. It is a sad time for the Williamson family, and we look forward to Kane joining up.
He's been able to train with the ND guys in Tauranga, so I am sure he will be hitting plenty of balls and making sure he is ready to go come Thursday."
Speaking of Test cricket, Southee stated that the red ball remains the main priority for the Kiwis, and they are keen to take on the Lankan Lions, who have an outside chance of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship Final.
 "Vishal Mehra")