Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is set to miss the first Test match against India in Bengaluru due to a groin injuy sustained during the series against Sri Lanka.
Williamson encountered discomfort during the second Test match against Sri Lanka and will require rehabilitation prior to rejoining the team in India, as disclosed by New Zealand Cricket in a media release on Wednesday, October 9. Sam Wells, the selector for New Zealand, conveyed optimism that Williamson will be able to participate later in the series following the completion of his rehabilitation.
Kane Williamson's groin injury
“The advice we’ve received is that the best course of action is for Kane to rest and rehabilitate now rather than risk aggravating the injury. We’re hopeful that if the rehabilitation goes to plan Kane will be available for the latter part of the tour.” said Sam Wells
“While it’s obviously disappointing to not have Kane available from the start of the tour, it provides an opportunity for someone else to play a role in an important series.”
“We believe Mark is one of our best players of spin and has a proven track-record in the sub-continent,” said Wells. “Mark has displayed an ability to play spin proactively in the international arena, and combined with his excellent first-class record, we see him as someone who can succeed in the type of conditions we expect to encounter in India.”
Mark Chapman, who has yet to earn a Test cap, will be added to the squad as a replacement for Williamson. A consistent member of New Zealand’s white-ball teams, Chapman boasts a first-class batting average of 41.9, having achieved six centuries, one of which was against India A in 2020. Last summer, he accumulated 245 runs across three matches in the Plunket Shield, highlighted by a score of 123 against the Otago Volts.
Meanwhile, Michael Bracewell will travel with the squad for the first Test before returning home for the birth of his second child. He will be replaced by Ish Sodhi for the rest of the series.
New Zealand's squad for India tests
New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (2nd and 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young
