New Zealand stand-in skipper Tom Latham has hinted that Kane Williamson could be fit for the 2023 World Cup clash against South Africa on November 1 (Wednesday), scheduled to be held at Pune.
Williamson returned to the World Cup after a long break due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in this year’s IPL. But it wasn’t his most memorable comeback, as he was forced out with an injury after banging his thumb in his first professional game in more than six months.
The New Zealand captain, who was batting at 77 at the time, was close against Bangladesh, but could have missed if Najmul Hossain Shanto had hit directly. The ball missed the stumps but hit Williamson’s left thumb instead, with later scans revealing a fracture.
This left Williamson out of New Zealand’s next three matches, with Tom Blundell introduced as cover, albeit unofficially. Williamson was still part of the New Zealand squad and management expected him to be suitable for the second half of the edition.
Latham provided an update on Williamson’s fitness the day before the match against South Africa, saying he hoped he would be “ready to play” for the match.
New Zealand faced a number of injury concerns at the World Cup, with Tim Southee having to undergo surgery on a fractured right thumb before the tournament. He is currently eligible for selection but has not yet participated in the tournament. Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson injured his right Achilles tendon and left the field in the final match against Australia, while Mark Chapman injured his calf.
“We have a few boys who need to pass some fitness tests. Once the training is complete we will have a clearer idea of what the 11 are like. “We practiced today and we’re ready for tomorrow,” Latham said in the pregame press conference, raising his players through a little bit of work. .
“We’ve got Rocky, Kane, Mark Chapman. We’ll work on them a little bit today and then see how they perform from a selection standpoint. But, certainly, Rocky’s last game He obviously had a little problem with his Achilles, so we’re hopeful that he’ll be OK tomorrow.”
New Zealand are currently in 3rd place in the points standings with 8 points after 6 games and will enter the final match having lost 2 consecutive games. South Africa earned 10 points and won five of their six matches.
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