'He is Progressing But..'- NZ Coach Gary Stead On Kane Williamson's WC Chances
Williamson is undergoing rehab for ACL injury [X.com]
The clock is ticking for one of the best batters of the current generation, Kane Williamson, to get fit in time for the all-important ICC World Cup 2023.
Williamson, who is undergoing rehabilitation for an ACL injury the batter suffered in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, has as long as two weeks to prove his fitness for the marquee event starting in October in India.
Williamson is currently with the New Zealand side for the upcoming white-ball series in England. New Zealand Cricket will need to submit a 15-member national ODI squad by September 5. However, changes can be made until September 28 without technical approval.
As quoted by ESPN Cricinfo, Head Coach Gary Stead stated that the management will give Williamson a chance and time to recover and prove his fitness.
Here's what Stead said
"[We've] got about two weeks from now until we name that side. Going to give him every chance and use that full amount of time. He's in full rehab mode, he's back batting in the nets again which is great to see. He's progressing really well but again there's a lot of work for him still to do to make sure he gets to where we need him to be."
"It's still a little bit of crystal-ball gazing [about] where he will be at. Yes, of course, we want him at the World Cup but there is that bigger picture in mind that we want Kane Williamson fit for the rest of his career."
Meanwhile, all-rounder Jimmy Neesham has withdrawn himself from the T20I series against England and will fly back home for the birth of his first child. Reserve player Cole McConchie will now remain for the entirety of the tour. The first T20I gets underway from August 30.
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