NEW DELHI: New Zealand‘s captain, Kane Williamson, is unlikely to participate further in the T20I series against Pakistan due to a hamstring injury, according to head coach Gary Stead.
According to ESPNcricinfo, after retiring hurt with a hamstring issue during the second T20I in Hamilton on Sunday, Williamson has flown to Tauranga for a scan, scheduled for Monday.
The hosts, having secured a 21-run victory in the second match, currently lead the five-match T20I series 2-0. Williamson left the field with a score of 26 after experiencing stiffness in his right hamstring.
“It’s the same leg as what his knee injury was on,” New Zealand’s coach Stead was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. The New Zealand team will be closely monitoring his condition as the series progresses.
“He’s gone home to Tauranga. He’ll get a scan today. Until I know more about the scan, then I haven’t got any further update at this stage. Will Young was going to join the team anyway for this [part of the] series. Kane wasn’t going to join. I think it’s likely that Will will stay on, but until we get the scan results from Kane, then we can’t make a further decision,” he added.
“I think it’s unlikely he will play. I mean with the Test matches so close as well and probably in the big scheme of things in the short term for us has higher priority then I think it’s likely we’ll try and make sure that he’s right for that,” Stead said of if Williamson would feature in the final T20Is.
In the absence of Williamson, Tim Seifert is expected to step into his role in the side, as mentioned by coach Stead. Additionally, Seifert is likely to take over the wicket-keeping duties from Devon Conway.
With no appearances in the series thus far, Seifert is anticipated to play a crucial role in the team’s lineup in the upcoming matches.
“It’ll be another test without Kane there, who I think always provides that stableness to your batting. That’ll be an opportunity for, likely, Tim Seifert to come in and show what he can still do, and fill in those shoes that Kane’s probably left for the rest of the series,”
New Zealand is scheduled to play three T20Is against Australia. Stead stated that star pacer Trent Boult’s availability is uncertain.
“We’ve tried to catch up a couple of times but haven’t managed to do so. That’ll be something we work out later. I’m not sure what his commitments are right at that time yet, so I still have to work that out,” Stead said.
(With ANI inputs)<\/span><\/div>\n