New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the second and final Test against England at Edgbaston, which starts from June 10 (Thursday). Both teams have everything to play for with the series tied at 0-0.
Williamson had suffered the injury earlier this year and it led to him missing as many as 3 Indian Premier League matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Williamson got a much-needed break ahead of the UK tour as the IPL 2021 was suspended midway due to positive Covid-19 cases in the bio-bubbles of multiple franchises.
Tom Latham to lead New Zealand in Edgbaston
Kane Williamson had said before his arrival in England that the elbow concern is being managed and he was hopeful of returning to peak fitness sooner than later. The Black Caps head coach Gary Stead yesterday had stated that they are monitoring Williamson’s injury, who has now been ruled out of the second Test.
“It’s not an easy decision for Kane to have to miss a Test, but we think it’s the right one,” Gary Stead, New Zealand’s head coach, said. “He’s had an injection in his elbow to relieve the irritation he’s been experiencing when he bats and a period of rest and rehabilitation will help maximise his recovery,” he added.
📢 BREAKING NEWS… New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will miss the 2nd #ENGvNZ Test to rest his irritated left elbow
⚫ Tom Latham will lead 🇳🇿 for the third time
⚫ Will Young will bat at three in his third TestWatch every ball from 10am on Sky Sports Cricket 📺📱💻
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 9, 2021
Meanwhile, in the absence of Kane Williamson, opened Tom Latham will lead the side in the final match of the series. Williamson will be replaced in the New Zealand side by Will Young, the top-order batter who won both of his Test caps to date in the home series against West Indies in December.
The injury is not expected to rule him out of the World Test Championship final against India, which starts on June 18 at the Ageas Bowl.
“The decision has been made very much with the ICC World Test Championship final at Southampton in mind and we are confident he will be ready for that match,” Stead added.