Kane Williamson given 2 weeks to prove fitness ahead of ODI World Cup 2023

New Zealand are still hopeful to have captain Kane Williamson in the ODI World Cup squad with their coach Gary Stead saying that the team management would give the star batter two week’s time to prove his fitness.

Kane Williamson has been out of competitive action for close to 5 months after he picked up a knee injury in the first match of IPL 2023 while playing for Gujarat Titans. Williamson underwent surgery for a ruptured ACL and only returned to training last month. Kane Williamson spent time with the senior national squad, which was preparing for the tour of England.

Williamson himself said last month that making it to the World Cup in India remained a ‘tough goal’ for him.

Notably, Williamson has traveled with the New Zealand team to the UK. New Zealand played 2 practice T20 practice matches against county teams ahead of their 4-match T20I series from August 30. New Zealand will also play 4 ODIs in England from September 8 to 15.

“We got about two weeks from now, until we until we name that side,” Stead told reporters from England.

“We’re going to give them every chance and I guess 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. So 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 them to be.”

Tom Latham was named as the captain of the ODI squad for the tour of England as the selectors did not rush the return of Kane Williamson.

‘WE WANT HIM AT WORLD CUP’

While expressing delight that Williamson is back at the nets, coach Stead said that chances are high that the skipper might miss the first few matches of New Zealand’s campaign even if he is declared fit and is named in the ODI World Cup squad.

New Zealand open their campaign against England in the repeat of 2019 final in the World Cup opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium on October 25.

“There’s a chance that even if Kane was named he may not be available right at the start of the tournament, but he also might be, and he also might not be ready,” Stead added.

“Yes, of course, we want him at the World Cup. There is that bigger picture in mind though, that we want Kane Williamson fit for the rest of his career. So there’ll be honest conversations that Kane and I will have with each other …”

The team also said all-rounder Jimmy Neesham would skip the T20 series against England to return home for the birth of his first child.