Kane Williamson provides update on recovery from injury
New Zealand will play couple of warm-up games ahead of this first encounter against Pakistan and South Africa.
Crickate
Kane Williamson is one of the greatest modern cricket batters. Gujarat Titans acquired him in the Indian Premier League Auction prior to the 2023 season with high expectations. However, the legendary New Zealander ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while fielding in the opening match, and his participation in the forthcoming ODI World Cup in India was in severe doubt.
Months later, much to the delight of cricket fans around the globe, the veteran player has recovered from surgery and will be leading the Black Caps in the premier event, which begins on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad against the defending champions England. Prior to this first match against Pakistan and South Africa, New Zealand will play a pair of warm-up contests. Williamson desires to test his surgically-repaired knee by participating in at least one of the games.
"I have a strong desire to be as involved as possible. Essentially, I want to improve what I am already doing - sprinting, fielding, and batting time in the middle. Even though things are going well, there are still days that vary slightly. Therefore, I must work through those warm-up contests to get as much out of it as possible, both individually and as a team, without causing it undue stress.
Although the burden will continue to increase, there is a degree of uncertainty. But it has felt fairly good really in the last few weeks," the 33-year-old was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz ahead of the New Zealand team's departure from Christchurch en route to India for the World Cup.
Williamson on the possibility of repositioning his fielding position following an injury: "We will definitely consider some of that."
Since his injury during the IPL, the right-handed batsman has not competed in competitive cricket. He was a member of the New Zealand squad that traveled to England to play four Twenty20 Internationals and four One-Day Internationals. Williamson stated that when he returns to the field following his injury, he may consider switching his fielding position.
"We will contemplate a portion of that. Typically, I field at mid-off, and this will likely not change. Perhaps marginally more suitable than square of the wicket. "There could be some slip, but I won't be there if we don't need one," Williamson said.
