Tag: Kane Williamson

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said his side’s experience of playing in front of partisan crowds would serve them well when they face hosts India in a blockbuster ICC World Cup 2023 semi-final.

A capacity crowd of over 33,000 is expected at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium — the home ground of India captain Rohit Sharma — for Wednesday’s clash

New Zealand, losing finalists at the last two World Cups but yet to lift the trophy, knocked India out at the semi-final stage in a rain-affected two-day clash in Manchester four years ago.

Bad weather, however, is unlikely to be an issue in Mumbai and while India had plenty of support at Old Trafford, star batsman Williamson knows that it will be nothing compared to the passionate backing they’ll have on Wednesday.

When a reporter told Kane Williamson during a pre-match press conference on Tuesday that the capacity of the Wankhede is 33,108 and “33 of them will be in blue (India’s colour),” he jokingly replied: “There’ll be more than that.”

Williamson, who knows India well from playing in the lucrative Indian Premier League, added: “We’re expecting a fairly blue crowd that will be supporting their team.

“We remember over the years, a number of different crowds that we’ve had that haven’t always been your own fans.

“We have got a small country that doesn’t always fill out the stadiums but you still appreciate the atmosphere it brings.

“Not many people get that opportunity, cricket in India, playing against India in a World Cup semi-final, is special and something to appreciate and look forward to.”

Williamson is particularly glad to be involved after fearing he might not make it to the World Cup before a freak injury threatened to cut short his participation.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

After spending nearly seven months out with a serious knee injury, he missed New Zealand’s opening wins over champions England and the Netherlands during the ongoing tournament.

He marked his comeback with 78 not out during an eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Chennai only to suffer a broken left thumb following a wayward throw while running between the wickets.

The 33-year-old then missed several more games before returning with 95 against Pakistan in Bengaluru.

“An interesting journey for sure,” said Kane Williamson.

“From sort of it not being a chance (of playing at the World Cup) to getting close and it becoming a reality and something to target…Then to get back and then break my thumb. It was quite frustrating and testing.”

But a 10-team round-robin event gave Williamson hope he could still feature later on in the tournament.

“I still felt it hadn’t ruled me out, so I was grateful for that and it’s nice to be sitting here.”

India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in a hard-fought ICC World Cup 2023 group match in Dharamsala last month but Williamson played down the impact of that fixture and the 2019 semi-final ahead of Wednesday’s clash.

“They (India) are a side that’s been playing extremely well, but we also know come finals time, everything sort of starts again.”

Kane Williamson was more forthcoming about New Zealand rising star Rachin Ravindra, with the 23-year-old left-handed opener having already scored three centuries at his debut World Cup.

“He’s burst onto the scene and in a big way,” said Williamson.

“It’s not just the volume of runs that he’s achieved so far, but how he’s been scoring them and how it’s been geared towards trying to move the team forward.”

READ: Travis Head calls his injury a ‘blessing in disguise’

New Zealand cricketers Kane Williamson and Trent Boult made news with their funny moment involving Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews during the side’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 fixture at Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Angelo Mathews, who became the first batter in the history of cricket to be timed out in Sri Lanka’s previous World Cup clash against Bangladesh, came out to bat in the ninth over against New Zealand.

As he walked towards the pitch, Trent Boult said something which made Angelo Mathews smile.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Then, Kiwi captain Kane Williamson joined the fun when the former Sri Lanka captain was about to take guard. He asked him if his helmet was alright.

He asked Angelo Mathews, “Got yourself a sturdy lid, mate? Strap intact?”

Angelo Mathews is the fastest man on the planet 👀 #NZLvsSL pic.twitter.com/klFn6q6YUD

— Sportsbet (@sportsbetcomau) November 9, 2023

Angelo Mathews took New Zealand captain’s remarks in good spirit and the two laughed about it.

It is pertinent to mention that Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan stirred controversy by getting Angelo Mathews dismissed “timed-out” in Monday’s ICC World Cup 2023 clash.

During the 25th over of the Sri Lanka innings, Angelo Mathews came into bat after Sadeera Samarawickrama’s dismissal. He could not secure his helmet strap tightly enough.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

His equipment malfunction led to a delay in the resumption of play. Shakib Al Hasan, as a result, appealed for the “timed-out dismissal as Angelo Mathews had not taken guard within the two-minute limit.

Officials Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth raised the matter with both teams amid the pandemonium. The Sri Lanka captain tried to convince the Bangladesh all-rounder but the latter did not withdraw his appeal.

As far as the action was concerned, Sri Lanka have set a target a 172-run target for the 2019 finalists in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 encounter. The side were dismissed for 171 in 46.4 overs.

Opener Kusal Perera was the standout batter as he scored a half-century. He struck nine boundaries and two maximums on his way to 28-ball 51.

Maheesh Theekshana went unbeaten at 38 off 91 deliveries. He put on a 43-run partnership with Dilshan Madushanka (19 from 48).

Trent Boult was the pick of New Zealand bowlers with his superb figures of 3-37 in 10 overs. His fellow pacer Lockie Ferguson along with spin duo Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra took three wickets each.

READ: England crush Netherlands to boost Champions Trophy 2025 hopes

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson faces another spell on the sidelines after scans revealed he fractured his thumb in the ICC World Cup 2023 win over Bangladesh, his first match in seven months following a serious knee injury. 

Coach Gary Stead said, however, that Williamson will remain with the squad and could return to the field “at the back end of pool play next month”.

The 33-year-old injured his left thumb when struck by a throw while running between the wickets in Friday’s eight-wicket Bangladesh in Chennai, forcing him to retire hurt on 78.

Batsman Tom Blundell will travel to India as cover but won’t officially be part of the squad while Kane Williamson rehabilitates, New Zealand Cricket said.

The injury soured Williamson’s return to cricket after injuring his knee playing in the Indian Premier League in March.

He sat out the opening World Cup wins over England and the Netherlands before being deemed ready to play against Bangladesh.

“Firstly, we’re all feeling for Kane to have this occur after all his hard work to return from his knee injury,” Stead said.

“While it’s disappointing, the initial diagnosis has given us some optimism he can still feature later in the pool play following a period of rest and rehabilitation.

“Kane is clearly a massive part of our side and a world-class player and captain – so we’ll look to give him every opportunity we can to return in the tournament.”

If Kane Williamson is ruled out until November, he will miss ICC World Cup 2023 pool games against Afghanistan, India and Australia over the next two weeks.

New Zealand currently sit on top of the 10-nation table after three wins in three games.

The top four qualify for the semi-finals while the final takes place in Ahmedabad on November 19.

READ: Pakistan eye to break India’s jinx in World Cups

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is likely to achieve full fitness, while pace bowler Tim Southee is available for selection for New Zealand’s third match in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023, confirmed head coach Gary Stead.

New Zealand’s head coach during a press conference provided the latest update on Kane Williamson and Tim Southee ahead of the Bangladesh match on October 13 in Chennai.

“He [Kane Williamson] is been progressing very very well. He’s had a great last five or six days, really went about the fielding aspect of things,” Stead said. “That’s the key thing for Kane at the moment. It’s not about his injury so much now, it’s his ability to run between the wickets and to field and to consistently do that over a 50-over game. We’re delighted with where he’s at,”

Gary Stead shared that the final decision regarding Kane Williamson’s availability will be taken after more training sessions before the match.

“We’ve got two more trainings still to get through but at this stage all things are looing good for Kane to return in this game. But we still say that with an air of caution but we’re really pleased with the way he has been coming on,” he added.

Kane Williamson tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee playing for Indian Premier League side Gujarat Titans in April, which looked to have scuppered his chances of making the showpiece tournament.

However, he made it to New Zealand’s squad for the ICC World Cup 2023 and participated in New Zealand’s warm-up games against Pakistan and South Africa, scoring 54 and 37 respectively.

He missed New Zealand’s thumping nine-wicket win over defending champions England and an astounding 99-run victory over the Netherlands during the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023.

In his absence, Rachin Ravindra was promoted to play at number 3 during the World Cup and he justified the decision by scoring a century and a fifty in two games.

Stead shed light on how New Zealand will fit Kane Williamson in the playing XI.

“If Kane is available, he will play. There is no doubt about that. He is one of the best players in the world. The discussions we are having at the moment is like how does that still fit?” said Stead.

Gary Stead also confirmed that Tim Southee has recovered after surgery on his fractured right thumb and is available for selection.

“Tim will be available for selection, he’s been tracking well. Looks like the thumb has set very very well,” Stead said. “He has been bowling at full intensity for the last couple of training sessions so he is certainly available for selection.”

READ: Abdullah, Rizwan aid Pakistan pull record World Cup run-chase against Sri Lanka

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will remain out of the side for their second match in ICC World Cup 2023 against the Netherlands on October 9.

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead confirmed his absence from the game against Netherlands while giving an update about his recovery and status for future games.

“Kane’s also been progressing very well. I think the fielding is still the element for him that he’s just got to get a little bit higher and get a little more trust in his body,” said Stead.

He, however, hinted that Williamson is likely to achieve full fitness in time for New Zealand’s third game, which is against Bangladesh on October 13 in Chennai.

“But he is progressing really well and we are pretty confident he will be playing the third match for us,” he added. “We have got another training to get through today so we will finalise the team once we have got through that training.”

Kane Williamson tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee playing for Indian Premier League side Gujarat Titans in April, which looked to have scuppered his chances of making the showpiece tournament.

However, he made it to New Zealand’s squad for the ICC World Cup 2023 and participated in New Zealand’s warm-up games against Pakistan and South Africa, scoring 54 and 37 respectively.

He missed New Zealand’s thumping nine-wicket win over defending champions England in the opening game of the ICC World Cup 2023, courtesy of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra’s dominant centuries.

New Zealand pace duo Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson also missed the first game due to injuries, however, Gary Stead is hopeful that the pace duo is likely to recover for the game against Netherlands.

“Lockie Ferguson got through training really well so providing he is scrubbed up okay this morning, he will be available for this next game,” Stead said. “Tim Southee also got through the training really well. It was great to see him back at the bowling crease and also doing a little bit of fielding as well.”

“He will just get a final x-ray done this morning and we will make a call after that but it is all looking good for selection from now on and into the rest of the tournament,” he concluded.

READ: China top Asian Games 2023 with record 201 golds

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is set to miss the curtain-raiser of the ICC World Cup 2023 against England in Ahmedabad on October 5 owing to a recovering knee injury.

Williamson will play as a specialist batter in New Zealand’s first warm-up match against Pakistan in Hyderabad. Though, he is expected to bat and field in the second warm-up game against South Africa in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead gave an update about Kane Williamson’s road to recovery.

“Right from the start we’ve taken a long-term view on Kane’s return to play,” New Zealand’s head coach Gary Stead said. “His recovery is tracking well and it’s now a matter of making sure he can cope with the rigours and intensity of international cricket. We’ll continue to take a day by day approach to Kane’s rehabilitation and certainly won’t be putting any pressure on him to return before he is ready.”

The 33-year-old batter tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee playing for Indian Premier League side Gujarat Titans in April, which looked to have scuppered his chances of making the showpiece tournament.

Wicketkeeper batter Tom Latham will lead New Zealand in two warm-up matches as well as the opening match against England.

New Zealand ICC World Cup 2023 squad

Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young

READ: La Liga: Atletico Madrid rise to fifth spot after thumping Osasuna

Less than six months after knee surgery threatened to rule him out of the ICC World Cup 2023, the goal of captaining New Zealand in India has been the key driver in getting Kane Williamson through his recovery.

The 33-year-old batter tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee playing for Indian Premier League side Gujarat Titans in April, which looked to have scuppered his chances of making the showpiece tournament.

However, intense rehab work has meant a speedy recovery.

Kane Williamson hopes to be ready for the Black Caps opening game against defending champions England on October 5, a repeat of the 2019 final his side narrowly lost.

“It would be great. Naturally, you want to be back playing when you are fit and ready, sooner rather than later,” he said.

“You hope that ends up being around that World Cup time, but I’m still being very focused on the rehab day-to-day and not wanting those targets to stretch it to a point where you take a backward step.”

Williamson is already batting in the nets again, which the injured knee can handle.

“For running, it’s not quite 100 percent, but making good progress,” he added.

Black Caps coach Gary Stead said there was no fixed date for when Williamson will play again.

But his return will be a big boost. He was the player of the 2019 tournament with centuries against South Africa and the West Indies in leading New Zealand to the cusp of lifting the trophy.

Williamson, who has chalked up over 6,500 runs in ODI cricket, is desperate to appear in a fourth World Cup, admitting the prospect “keeps you in the gym every day and working hard”.

“It’s been really pleasing to see the progress and keep taking those little steps forward,” he added.

While New Zealand have warmed up for the ICC World Cup 2023 with tours of England and Bangladesh, Kane Williamson’s injury has limited his preparations.

But he is not overly concerned.

“Naturally, it isn’t ideal, but I didn’t get too much of a say in it. It’s the only option I have in front of me and the prospect of playing another World Cup is really, really exciting,” he said.

“It’s something you always want to be a part of but I didn’t want that to dictate my rehab. At the same time, having a carrot at the back of your mind is helpful.”

Despite a burning desire to play, the New Zealand skipper said he would have no problem withdrawing from the squad if the injury flared up.

“I only want to be there if I can add some value and I’m fit and ready to go,” he said,

Kane Williamson already knows about spending time on the sidelines after returning last year from a lengthy spell out with an elbow injury.

“Working through injuries are part of the job, so being ready for whatever’s next is the goal,” he said.

READ: New Zealand eye Bangladesh series win ahead of World Cup

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has sent well wishes for the quick recovery of New Zealand ODI skipper Kane Williamson after he injured his knee during an IPL match last week. 

“Bounce back stronger. Get well soon Kane Williamson,” wrote Babar in a Twitter post n which he also shared an on-field photo with his New Zealand counterpart.

Bounce back stronger. Get well soon Kane Williamson pic.twitter.com/XSkMa70qXO

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) April 6, 2023

Due to the injury, the Black Caps captain is likely to miss the ICC Cricket World Cup in India later this year as he will undergo knee surgery within the next three weeks after he was found to rupture the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee.

Typically, the injury takes around six-month rehabilitation, which means the BlackCaps captain will be in a tight spot ahead of the megaevent in terms of proving his fitness.

“Naturally it’s disappointing to get such an injury, but my focus now is on having the surgery and starting rehab,” he said.

“It’s going to take some time, but I’ll be doing everything I can to get back on the field as soon as possible.”

Williamson had landed awkwardly in the opening match of the Indian Premier League between Gujrat Titans and Chennai Super Kings. The injury ruled him out of Gujrat Titans for the entire IPL season this year.

However, the 32-year-old’s absence would be a major blow for his national side. The right-hander has scored more than 6000 ODI runs at an average of 47.83 in 161 ODI matches.

Under his captaincy, New Zealand finished as runner-up in the last edition of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in 2019. They lost to England in the epic final that went down to Super Over with the host eventually lifting the trophy on boundary count.

READ: New Zealand series-bound players to start to report at NCA today

 

WELLINGTON: Aggressive double centuries for Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls powered New Zealand’s dominance in the second Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

The Black Caps declared their first innings at an imposing 580-4 before reducing Sri Lanka to 26-2 at stumps on day two, leaving the tourists with a very slim prospect of squaring the two-match series.

The in-form Williamson scored 215 and Nicholls posted a career-best 200 not out, with the pair’s third-wicket stand of 363 virtually batting Sri Lanka out of the contest.

Their partnership was the fifth-highest by any New Zealand combination and they became the country’s first batters to reach 200 in the same innings.

Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne will resume on 16 on Sunday and nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya remains on four, with the deficit a daunting 554 runs.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to generate life on a flat Basin Reserve pitch, forcing Karunaratne to set defensive fields during much of the mammoth partnership.

Williamson and Nicholls batted at a lively clip from the outset, advancing quickly from a 155-2 overnight score and barely looking troubled as they unleashed an array of attacking strokes through the first two sessions.

Williamson was impenetrable as he reached three figures for the third time in successive Tests, becoming the first New Zealander to pass 8,000 runs in the process.

It was a sixth double-century for the 32-year-old — whose unbeaten 121 was pivotal in a final-ball first Test in Christchurch earlier this week.

Having resumed on 26, Williamson struck 23 fours and two sixes before holing out in the deep off spinner Jayasuriya as he tried to escalate the scoring rate.

Nicholls marched on from his overnight 18 to reach three figures before pushing past his previous-best score of 174.

His aggressive 240-ball knock, which featured four sixes, represented a remarkable return to form for the left-hander, whose place in the team was under pressure after failing to reach 40 in his 15 previous innings.

Nicholls said he was aware of criticism of his ongoing selection but said he was made to feel comfortable by support from his teammates and coach Gary Stead.

“Everyone in the group’s been great and you really feel that support,” he said.

“For me, it was just about trusting that I had done it before. It hasn’t happened as much as I’d like in the last period.

“Now the challenge is doing it again knowing that the blueprint is there.”

Nicholls compared the partnership with a 369-run stand with Williamson against Pakistan in Christchurch two years ago.

“The way Kane’s playing, he’s in a real zone out there. It was nice to make that partnership into another really big one.”

Kasun Rajitha, who was off the field for a period nursing a shoulder injury, lodged the best bowling figures of 2-126.

Sri Lanka spinner Dhananjaya de Silva said the tourists were guilty of allowing the double centurions too much leeway.

“Obviously Kane and Henry batted very well. We have to be at our best when we’re facing these players but we missed our lengths,” he said.

De Silva said Sri Lanka hadn’t given up on squaring the series although he conceded it will be very difficult to force a victory.

“We’re not playing for a draw, we’re playing for a win.

“So we have to bat for at least one and a half days. We’ll see what will happen,” he said.

Their response began poorly.

Matt Henry removed opener Oshada Fernando for six before fellow-seamer Doug Bracewell dismissed Kusal Mendis without scoring via a spectacular catch at point from Devon Conway.

It came from Bracewell’s third ball of the match in what is his first Test appearance for more than six years.

READ: Najam Sethi hints at change in New Zealand tour’s schedule

WELLINGTON: Kane Williamson called it “special” after surpassing Ross Taylor on Monday to become New Zealand’s highest Test run-scorer.

Williamson’s century steered New Zealand to 483 all out in their second innings and set England a target of 258 runs to win the second Test in Wellington.

The 32-year-old former captain earned two standing ovations at the Basin Reserve during a superb innings which brought up his 26th Test century.

He raised his bat fleetingly after reaching 29 not out early on Monday to pass Taylor’s record of 7,683 runs.

Williamson left the field to more applause when he fell for 132 to part-time seam bowler Harry Brook.

Williamson was typically modest about his place in the history books.

“It’s not something I have thought a whole lot about but it’s an honour if you look at the names on that list,” he said.

“I admired a lot of them growing up, then played alongside some of them, but it’s special to be in that company.”

Stephen Fleming, also a former Black Caps captain, sits third on 7,172 runs.

Williamson reached the milestone in his 92nd Test and 161st innings, considerably quicker than Taylor’s 112 Tests and 196 visits to the crease.

Now-retired Taylor was quick to compliment Williamson.

“Congratulations, Kane,” Taylor posted on Twitter. “This achievement is a testament to your hard work and dedication to Test cricket, of which I was privy to for a number of years.”

Williamson, a right-handed batsman, started the two-match England series needing only 39 runs to clinch the record.

But he totalled only 10 runs through his first three innings, forming part of a New Zealand top order that struggled against the English seam attack.

He sits 35th on the all-time Test leaderboard, which is topped by Indian great Sachin Tendulkar with 15,921 runs.

READ: New Zealand set England 258 to win second Test after Williamson century