New Zealand Captain Kane Williamson Fractures Thumb Out Of The Next 3 Games, Including Against India
The captain of team New Zealand, Kane Williamson, was on Saturday ruled out of New Zealand's next three World Cup matches, including the India game, at least after fracturing his thumb while running between the wickets against Bangladesh. On Friday night, the match against Bangladesh was Williamson's first international outing in more than six months following his recovery from an ACL injury that he suffered in the IPL in March. He retired hurt after a well-made 78 at Chepauk.
But a stroke of sheer bad luck has made Williamson unavailable for the games against Afghanistan here on October 18, India in Dharamshala on October 22, and South Africa in Pune on October 28.
His comeback for the remaining three league games in November will depend on how fast he recovers.
New Zealand cricket said in a statement that "an X-ray has confirmed an undisplaced fracture to Kane Williamson's left thumb after he was struck by a throw while running between the wickets in Friday's match against Bangladesh in Chennai.”
They further said, "Williamson will remain in the BLACKCAPS ICC Cricket World Cup squad with the aim of being available for the back end of pool play next month."
Tom Blundell will travel to India as cover but will not officially be part of the squad while Williamson enters the rehabilitation phase.