New Zealand ODI captain Kane Williamson is all but out of the World Cup slated to take place in India in October-November in India after scans revealed he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while fielding in an IPL 2023 match, said New Zealand Cricket on Thursday. Williamson is set to undergo surgery within the next three weeks and will take considerable time to recover, which effectively rules him out of the mega event.
“The standard rehabilitation timelines mean that Williamson is now unlikely to be fit and available for selection at this year’s ICC ODI Cricket World Cup in India,” said NZC in a release.
Williamson suffered the injury while attempting a catch of Ruturaj Gaikwad in the 13th over of the Chennai Super Kings innings in the IPL 2023 opener in Ahmedabad. He managed to save two runs for his side Gujarat Titans but was seen wincing in pain on the boundary line. After initial treatment on the sidelines, he was carried off the field. The experienced right-hander did not take further part in the match and was replaced by Impact Player Sai Sudharsan.
Williamson flew back home and the extent of the injury was known after he went for scans. After receiving the news Williamson wanted to acknowledge the support he’d received since sustaining the injury.
Tom Latham appears to be the frontrunner to lead New Zealand in the World Cup in Williamson’s absence.
