New Zealand’s star batsman and captain Kane Williamson has suffered a setback as he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee while fielding for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League last Friday. He is set to miss the 50-overs World Cup in India later this year, according to a statement released by the team on Thursday. Scans conducted on Tuesday confirmed the injury, which is expected to require surgery, making it unlikely that he will be fit and available for selection for the tournament in October and November. Williamson’s batting prowess was instrumental in helping New Zealand reach the final of both the 2015 World Cup in Australia and the 2019 edition, where they lost to hosts England in a dramatic Super Over.
Williamson, who will have surgery later this month, expressed disappointment at the injury but said his focus is now on rehab and getting back to the field as soon as possible. His absence from the tournament is a significant blow to the Black Caps, but coach Gary Stead said they have not ruled him out entirely yet. The team is hoping for his speedy recovery, but Stead acknowledged that the injury is a “huge spanner in the works.” He added that Williamson’s injury has come as a surprise, and it is undoubtedly tough for him and the team.
The potential loss of Williamson is undoubtedly a concern for New Zealand, as he has scored 6,554 ODI runs at an average of just under 48. Last year, Williamson stepped down from the Test captaincy but remained the skipper in the shorter formats. The dates for the World Cup are yet to be confirmed, but the tournament is expected to get underway in early October, with the major nations, including New Zealand, starting their campaigns towards the end of the month. Williamson said he looks forward to supporting Stead and the team over the next few months.
