New Zealand captain Kane Williamson might accompany the team to the 50-over World Cup in India, even if he is not fit enough to participate as a player.
According to coach Gary Stead, they will consider using Williamson as a mentor if he is unable to play. Williamson injured his right knee’s ACL while attempting a catch during the first match of the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League and has undergone surgery. He is currently striving to recover in time for the World Cup.
“It’s still far too early to know,” Stead said ahead of the five-match series against Pakistan. “He’s had the operation and, to date, what we know, that’s been successful. So he is in the very, very early stages of his rehab programme.”
“It’s obviously pretty non-weight-bearing at this stage, and he’s in a brace. It’s really just meeting milestones as we go. Our line around Kane, at the moment, is still it’s unlikely that he will be available, but we certainly don’t want to rule out a person of his class and calibre, and the things he brings to this team, too early in case there is that chance still.”
