Christchurch
New Zealand’s head coach confirmed on Monday that star batsman Kane Williamson will return to the squad for the first Test against England at Hagley Oval after recovering from a groin injury that kept him out of the India tour. However, his return has created a selection dilemma for the team.
Williamson, ranked No. 2 in Test batting, is expected to replace Will Young, who was the Player of the Series against India, scoring 244 runs while batting in the No. 3 spot. Coach Gary Stead acknowledged the challenge of fitting Williamson back into the lineup, saying, “Kane is one of the best in the world, so he will be playing somewhere in that line-up. It’s just how we manage to shape the rest of the team around that.”
New Zealand are still in contention for a spot in the World Test Championship Final, thanks to their 3-0 whitewash of India last month. To secure a place in the final, they must win all three Tests against England in the upcoming series. Stead remains cautious but optimistic, recognizing the challenge ahead. “It’s going to be a cracker of a Test series. We’re excited about what we did in India and looking forward to facing a quality England side,” Stead said, promising an exciting contest.
