New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who has been playing continuous cricket for the last couple of months, has opted out of the upcoming three-match T20I series against India, starting November 17 in Jaipur.
Williamson now will join the test specialist group already training in Jaipur – including Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Neil Wagner, and Tom Blundell – as they focus on red-ball preparation.
In a statement, the Black Caps confirmed their skipper would miss the three matches in Jaipur, Ranchi (Saturday), and Kolkata (Monday), in order to rest for the subsequent two-test series which will kick off New Zealand’s World Test Championship title defence.
BLACKCAPS captain Kane Williamson will miss this week’s three-game T20 series against India as he prioritises preparing for the Test series starting on November 25 in Kanpur: NZC#KaneWilliamson #INDvNZ
— Baidurjo Bhose (@bbhose) November 16, 2021
Incidentally, Kane Williamson has struggled badly with an elbow injury, however, defied it to lead New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2021. However, despite a brilliant knock in the final, they fell short against their Trans-Tansman opponents Australia on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Kane Williamson’s regular T20 deputy, Tim Southee, will lead the Black Caps in the opening match. The squad is otherwise unchanged from the T20 World Cup, with Kyle Jamieson, Mark Chapman, and Todd Astle all expected to get game time after carrying the drinks for every match in the UAE.
On the other hand, Lockie Ferguson, who missed the entire T20 World Cup with a calf tear is expected to return to action. He has resumed bowling in the nets and might soon return to action, confirmed head coach Gary Stead.
The Black Caps arrived in Jaipur early on Monday less than 24 hours after their defeat in their first T20 World Cup final.
New Zealand T20 squad to face India: Tim Southee (captain), Daryl Mitchell, Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Todd Astle, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Adam Milne, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
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