By Zainab Shafiq 
New Zealand’s cricket team is eagerly anticipating the return of their captain, Kane Williamson, who sustained a thumb injury during the ICC World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh on October 13. According to their head coach, Gary Stead, Williamson has shown significant progress in his recovery. He recently started practicing in the nets with a cautious approach, focusing on low-level intensity.
Will Kane Williamson play next match?
Stead expressed his optimism about Williamson’s recovery, stating, “Kane Williamson hit cricket balls for the first time yesterday, which is encouraging. [It was] low-level intensity but he will train tomorrow and the next day with a view to potentially being available for this game.” The upcoming game against the in-form South African team on November 1 in Pune is a crucial one for the Black Caps, and they are hopeful that Williamson will be fit to lead the team.
However, Stead remained cautious about Williamson’s availability, acknowledging that the next two days of practice would determine whether he’s fit to play against the Proteas. The extent of his progress and how he copes with training will be the key factors in the decision.
It’s important to note that Kane Williamson had delivered a stellar performance in the match against Bangladesh, scoring an unbeaten 78 runs before being forced to retire hurt due to a thumb injury.
In addition to Williamson’s injury, the Black Caps have concerns about two more players. Pacer Lockie Ferguson suffered a suspected Achilles injury during a match against Australia on October 28 in Dharamshala. While he woke up feeling slightly better, he will undergo a scan to determine the severity of the injury. The team remains hopeful that he might be back in about a week, but the recurrence of this injury at an inconvenient time is a concern.
Mark Chapman, on the other hand, encountered a calf injury, which was described as a “niggle.” However, there is no specific timeline for his return, leaving the team uncertain about his availability in upcoming matches. The Black Caps will be closely monitoring the progress of these injured players as they prepare for their crucial encounters in the tournament.
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