BAN vs NZ, World Cup 2023: Kane Williamson set for return, Tim Southee remains unavailable
"It's been a long road for me (since my injury)." I'm overjoyed to be back in the World Cup team. "I'm excited," Kane Williamson said before of New Zealand's ICC World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh on Friday at Chennai's Chepauk Stadium.
The news that captain Kane Williamson will play in today's game against Afghanistan on Friday, October 13, is a significant boost to New Zealand's World Cup bid.
After missing the last six months of competitive cricket owing to injury, Williamson announced his fitness to play again and gave an update on Tim Southee's availability.
Williamson and Southee were absent from New Zealand's first two tournament games, but the Kiwis have won their first two games handily. With Williamson back to contend for the crown, New Zealand, who leads the group stages points table, will be even more formidable.
For the third straight World Cup match, the Kiwis will be without their best bowler, Tim Southee. The red-ball squad captain is still recovering from a thumb injury that he sustained during the ODI series against England.
"After my accident, it's been quite the trip for me. thrilled to be a member of the World Cup team again. I am excited about it. Tim is healing nicely, but he won't be participating in tomorrow's game, Williamson announced at the team's pregame news conference.
Williamson's comeback will present the management with a favourable selection conundrum, and it will be intriguing to watch New Zealand's starting eleven against Bangladesh.
#CWC23 | Game 3 of the @cricketworldcup! Follow play against @BCBtigers LIVE in Aotearoa with @skysportnz. #BACKTHEBLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/p5EppK0RqA
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 12, 2023
Rachin Ravindra batted at number three and amassed a century and fifty runs, but when Williamson returns, the young player is probably going to open or bat down the order. Williamson is expected to be substituted for Will Young or Mark Chapman at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday.
New Zealand World Cup squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young