Injured Kane Williamson in doubt for 3rd Test, may delay IPL departure

Williamson is due to fly to India after the Bangladesh series to join up with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the money-spinning Twenty20 IPL

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson sustained a shoulder injury while fielding in the second Test against Bangladesh on Monday. He was taken to the hospital and the scan results have detected a tear to Williamson's left pectoral minor muscle in his shoulder.

Following the injury, the Kiwi skipper is likely to miss the third Test against Bangladesh beginning Saturday in Christchurch. Moreover, he might have to delay his departure for the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting from March 23.

Coach Gary Stead said scans had detected a tear to Williamson's left pectoral minor muscle in his shoulder.

“There are obvious irritation and a wee bit of bleeding, it's not a major injury. We're hopeful that he will recover quickly, and the thing for us is to make sure he doesn't aggravate it any more. He will come to Christchurch and we will make an assessment there on whether he plays,” said coach Gary Stead said.

With the series already won, Stead said New Zealand would take a “safety first” approach, particularly with this year's World Cup on the horizon.

“No player wants to give up their spot in the Test team. But I think it's safe to say that we will probably err on the conservative side, and if there's any chance of risk then we're likely to pull him from that game.” Williamson had suffered considerable discomfort while batting, although he managed to score 74.

Williamson is due to fly to India after the Bangladesh series to join up with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the money-spinning Twenty20 IPL.

“If things progress as we hope, then still going to the IPL shouldn't be a problem to him. But he's also aware that if he's not quite 100 per cent, then we will potentially hold him back as well and make sure that he is right before he goes on that plane,” said Stead.

Victory early on the fifth day after the first two days were lost to rain gave New Zealand an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series and ensured they would end the season with an International Cricket Council cheque for $500,000 as the second-ranked Test side behind India.