ODI World Cup 2023: Kane Williamson Ruled Out Against Netherlands, Lockie Ferguson Returns

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson had also missed the ODI World Cup 2023 opener against England due to injury.

Written by: Koushik Paul

Updated: October 8, 2023, 11:55 AM IST

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https://www.india.com/sports/nz-vs-ned-odi-world-cup-2023-kane-williamson-ruled-out-against-netherlands-lockie-ferguson-returns-6391207/ Copy

Kane Williamson's injury dates back in March which he sustained during IPL 2023 opener. (Image: X)

Hyderabad: For the second game in a row, New Zealand will be missing captain Kane Williamson in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, head coach Gary Stead confirmed on Sunday. However, in good news, Lockie Ferguson will be available against the Netherlands while a call on Tim Southee will be taken after an X-ray on Sunday. New Zealand, who won the tournament opener against England by nine wickets, take on the Dutch on Monday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

“Lockie Ferguson got through the training really well, so he will be available against Netherlands. Tim Southee also got through the training really well. It was great top see him back in the bowling crease, also did a little bit of fielding as well. He will need a final X-ray done this morning (Sunday) and then we can take a final call on him,” Stead said in a video posted by NZC.

“Kane has also been progressing very well. I think the fielding is still the element that he needs to get little bit higher and more accustomed to the body. He is progressing really well and we are pretty confident that he will be playing the third match for us,” he added.

Head coach Gary Stead with an update on injuries after Game 1 and the team’s first training in Hyderabad. #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/4PXe8lXhYt

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 8, 2023

“He has got another training before we can finalise the team for Netherlands game but at this stage it is pretty clear that Kane is starting the tournament from the third match.” After the Netherlands game, the Kiwis travel to Chennai to play Bangladesh in their third game.

Ferguson had missed the opener against England due to a back niggle while Southee failed to recover on time from his fractured right thumb. The pacer also landed in India late. Meanwhile, Williamson batted against Pakistan and South Africa in warm-up games and looked quite comfortable during his 54 and 37 respectively.

It is his fielding that is making the team management think twice before naming him in the playing XI. The New Zealand captain, while playing for Gujarat Titans, sustained an ACL team while fielding against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023 opener. He was immediately ruled out of the tournament, went back home soon after and went under the knife for quick recovery.