Image Source- ICC
Head coach Gary Stead stated in a news conference that
injured New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is “looking good” to play
against Bangladesh on Friday in Chennai. He also stated that veteran fast
bowler Tim Southee will be available.
“He’s been progressing very very well. He’s had a
great last five or six days, really went about the fielding aspect of
things,” Stead said. “That’s the key thing for Kane at the moment.
It’s not about his injury so much now, it’s his ability to run between the wickets
and to field and to consistently do that over a 50-over game. We’re delighted
with where he’s at.
“We’ve got two more trainings still to get
through but at this stage all things are looking good for Kane to return in
this game. But we still say that with an air of caution but we’re really
pleased with the way he has been coming on.”
Stead did not reveal who would make way when
Williamson comes back into the XI, with Rachin Ravindra racking up a century
and a fifty in his two games at No. 3 this World Cup.
“If Kane is available, he will play. There is no
doubt about that. He is one of the best players in the world. The discussions
we are having at the moment is like how does that still fit?” Stead said.
“For example, we played Jimmy Neesham in the first game but not the
second. That was around the conditions we thought best suited the team at the
time. That’s the ongoing discussion we have around every single game and also
looking at the opposition and who we feel gives us the right balance in each
situation.”
Southee, meanwhile, had surgery on his fractured right
thumb before the tournament but is now ready to be picked.
“Tim will be available for selection, he’s been
tracking well. Looks like the thumb has set very very well,” Stead said.
“He has been bowling at full intensity for the last couple of training
sessions so he is certainly available for selection.”a