Photo Credit: BCCI
BLACKCAPS captain Kane Williamson will miss the second and final Test against India in Mumbai as he continues to battle the left-elbow injury which has troubled him for much of 2021.
Coach Gary Stead confirmed the injury had flared-up during the first Test in Kanpur and with it failing to improve in the days following the match – the call was made to rule the captain out.
“It’s been a really tough time for Kane having to deal with such a persistent injury,” Stead said.
“While we’ve been able to manage the injury through the year and the T20 World Cup, the shift to Test cricket and the increased batting loading has re-aggravated his elbow.
“Ultimately the injury is still not right and while he got through the Kanpur Test, it was clear playing in the second Test wasn’t an option.
“We all know how much he loves playing and leading this team, particularly in Test cricket, so it’s a very difficult decision to sit out.
“It’s been a challenging year for Kane trying to manage his elbow and it’s important we now formulate a good plan with him to ensure the injury does not continue to plague him.
“He will likely require a sustained period of rest followed by rehabilitation, strengthening and gradual batting loading.”
Williamson has been dealing with the tendon injury since it first emerged in the New Zealand home summer.
Tom Latham will lead the side in Williamson’s place with the final playing XI to be confirmed at the toss, which has been delayed due to a wet outfield at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The G.J. Gardner Homes Tour of India is live in New Zealand on SKY Sport and SENZ Radio, with live scoring at nzc.nz.
