In an encouraging update, Gary Stead, the head coach of New Zealand’s cricket team, has expressed optimism regarding the swift recovery of captain Kane Williamson before the inaugural Test clash against South Africa on February 4 in Mount Maunganui. Despite facing a setback with a hamstring injury following his participation in just two T20Is against Pakistan, Williamson is anticipated to regain full fitness in time for the upcoming series.
Furthermore, Stead conveyed his hopeful expectations for the availability of wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell in the Test opener. Blundell, who has been recuperating from a lower-body injury since his last appearance in the Napier ODI in December, is on track for a comeback with the Wellington Firebirds in the Super Smash knockouts. Stead’s positive outlook serves as a significant morale booster for the New Zealand team as they gear up to confront the Proteas.
Gary Stead said: “I’m confident he will be alright. He’s probably got another day or two before he starts back into training and it was a minor niggle, which is a good thing. So, we didn’t want to aggravate it and didn’t see the point of aggravating it with the important series that are ahead. He’s obviously a key player and we know that and we want to make sure we’ve given him every chance of being available.”
“It’s something again we’re discussing at the moment: what’re the options if Tom is not right. If it’s a one-off Test, do you keep it or do you skin it a little bit differently and keep the squad similar. We’ve got different options, but those guys are the key ones at the top of our list.”
Notably, Stead hinted at the potential inclusion of Trent Boult in the squad for New Zealand’s three-match T20I series against Australia, leading up to the T20 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean. However, he clarified that Boult’s return for the Tests against South Africa is unlikely due to a lack of recent first-class experience, highlighting the left-arm quick’s current focus on the T20 format. This leaves the prospect of Boult’s Test comeback uncertain, as Stead carefully weighs the considerations for the upcoming series.
He further said: “I was texting with him last [Saturday] night actually. Trent and I are going to have a conversation this week just around the future and what that looks like for him and where it fits for us as well. We’re still to have those, but we will connect this week and will work out. He could be available but I’m not 100% sure. Again, I will have a conversation with Trent but at the moment, I think probably not. It’s very hard to see how you come from a T20 diet back into Test consideration with no cricket before that.”
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