New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was on Wednesday ruled out of the second Test against England to give much-needed rest to his “irritated” left elbow ahead of the World Test Championship final against India.
Left-handed batsman Tom Latham will don the captaincy hat in Williamson’s absence in the second Test beginning here on June 10. While Latham will lead the Kiwis only for the third time, Will Young will replace Williamson in the playing eleven.
It’s not an easy decision for Kane to have to miss a Test, but we think it’s the right one,” Gary Stead, New Zealand’s head coach, said. “He’s had an injection in his elbow to relieve the irritation he’s been experiencing when he bats and a period of rest and rehabilitation will help maximise his recovery.”
The injury is not expected to rule him out of the World Test Championship (WTC) final against India, which starts on June 18 at the Ageas Bowl. “The decision has been made very much with the ICC World Test Championship final at Southampton in mind and we are confident he will be ready for that match,” Stead added.
Williamson will be replaced in the New Zealand side by Will Young, the top-order batter who won both of his Test caps to date in the home series against West Indies in December.
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