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Kane Williamson, New Zealand No. 3 batsman, has been ruled out of the next three ODIs against Sri Lanka, with a left shoulder injury. The injury is said to be of a minor nature and it appears that he has been rested as a precautionary measure, ahead of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, to be jointly co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said in Hamilton that the batsman sustained the injury while diving in the field during New Zealand's victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. He had managed with the niggle for the remainder of the Test series and the first ODI in Christchurch with the help of medication, but the team management has decided not to risk aggravating the injury. The injury is expected to keep Williamson out of action for a period of seven to ten days.
"It's just a chance to rehab his shoulder so that it doesn't inconvenience him later in the year," Hesson said."He can bowl, he played the second test while taking some medication and there were no issues there, but we don't want him to be on medication for a long period of time, so this is a chance for him to get the shoulder right," he added.
A major feature in New Zealand's recent renaissance, Williamson was expected to rested from the ongoing seven-match ODI series at some stage. He will be replaced by Ross Taylor, who returns to the ODI squad, in a straight swap. Tom Latham and Grant Elliott, who failed in the first ODI, will get another opportunity to nail down the vacant number five batting position, ahead of the World Cup. "We won't be jumping to any conclusions. Both Grant and Tom will get plenty of opportunities in the next month," Hesson said.
"Grant will be far better for the experience [on Sunday] and he's relatively philosophical I think that's the beauty of being experienced. It was not a great day at the office with the bat but we know he's a fine player," he added.
The bowling group will remain the same for the second match with Tim Southee not expected to return to the team until the third ODI, due to be played in Auckland on Saturday. "Tim will train with us in Hamilton and hopefully he will be right for Auckland," Hesson said.
New Zealand lead the seven-match series by a 1-0 margin with the second ODI to be held in Hamilton on Thursday, January 15th.
Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said in Hamilton that the batsman sustained the injury while diving in the field during New Zealand's victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. He had managed with the niggle for the remainder of the Test series and the first ODI in Christchurch with the help of medication, but the team management has decided not to risk aggravating the injury. The injury is expected to keep Williamson out of action for a period of seven to ten days.
"It's just a chance to rehab his shoulder so that it doesn't inconvenience him later in the year," Hesson said."He can bowl, he played the second test while taking some medication and there were no issues there, but we don't want him to be on medication for a long period of time, so this is a chance for him to get the shoulder right," he added.
A major feature in New Zealand's recent renaissance, Williamson was expected to rested from the ongoing seven-match ODI series at some stage. He will be replaced by Ross Taylor, who returns to the ODI squad, in a straight swap. Tom Latham and Grant Elliott, who failed in the first ODI, will get another opportunity to nail down the vacant number five batting position, ahead of the World Cup. "We won't be jumping to any conclusions. Both Grant and Tom will get plenty of opportunities in the next month," Hesson said.
"Grant will be far better for the experience [on Sunday] and he's relatively philosophical I think that's the beauty of being experienced. It was not a great day at the office with the bat but we know he's a fine player," he added.
The bowling group will remain the same for the second match with Tim Southee not expected to return to the team until the third ODI, due to be played in Auckland on Saturday. "Tim will train with us in Hamilton and hopefully he will be right for Auckland," Hesson said.
New Zealand lead the seven-match series by a 1-0 margin with the second ODI to be held in Hamilton on Thursday, January 15th.
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