Kane Williamson Set To Miss 1st NZ vs IND Test, Uncapped All-Rounder Named As His Replacement

Ace New Zealand batter Kane Williamson is set to miss the start of the upcoming India vs New Zealand three-match Test series after he suffered a groin strain during Sri Lanka Tests.

New Zealand cricket team dealt a major blow as ace batter Kane Williamson will miss the first IND vs NZ Test due to a groin injury.

Source : ICC

Kane Williamson Injury: Kane Williamson is set to miss the initial phase of the upcoming India vs New Zealand Test series due to a groin strain that he suffered during New Zealand’s 0-2 series defeat to Sri Lanka in Galle. India will host New Zealand for a three-match Test series, with the first NZ vs IND Test slated to commence on October 16 at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Williamson’s groin injury requires him to undergo a period of rehabilitation, delaying his departure to India.

New Zealand selector Sam Wells expressed that he is hopeful for Williamson to feature in the latter part of the IND vs NZ Test series.

"The advice we've received is that the best course of action is for Kane to rest and rehabilitate now rather than risk worsening the injury. We remain hopeful that if his recovery goes to plan, Kane will be available for the latter part of the tour," Wells said as per the New Zealand Cricket.

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Mark Chapman To Travel As Kane Williamson's Replacement

All-rounder Mark Chapman, who is uncapped in Tests for New Zealand, will join the squad as a replacement for Williamson. Chapman is a regular member of New Zealand's white-ball teams.

"While it's obviously disappointing to not have Kane available from the start of the tour, it provides an opportunity for someone else to play a role in an important series. We believe Mark is one of our best players of spin and has a proven track-record in the sub-continent,” said Wells.

“Mark has displayed an ability to play spin proactively in the international arena, and combined with his excellent first-class record, we see him as someone who can succeed in the type of conditions we expect to encounter in India,” Wells added.

Following the first Test in Bengaluru, New Zealand and India will travel to Pune for the second Test, set to commence on October 24, and will then play the last Test of the series in Mumbai from November 1.

New Zealand’s squad for Test series against India: Tom Latham (C), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman (cover), Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (2nd & 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young