Image Credit- AFP
Head coach of New Zealand Gary Stead is
“confident” that captain Kane Williamson will recuperate in time for
the first Test match against South Africa, which is scheduled to begin on
February 4 at Mount Maunganui. Prior to missing the most of the previous
five-match series against Pakistan due to a hamstring injury, Williamson has
only participated in two Twenty20 Internationals.
“I’m confident he will be alright,” Stead
said. “He’s probably got another day or two before he starts back into
training and it was a minor niggle, which is a good thing. So, we didn’t want
to aggravate it and didn’t see the point of aggravating it with the important
series that are ahead. He’s obviously a key player and we know that and we want
to make sure we’ve given him every chance of being available.”
Stead is also optimistic that Tom Blundell, the
wicketkeeper-battler, will be ready for the first Test series matchup with
South Africa. Since the December ODI in Napier, Blundell has not appeared in an
international match for New Zealand. He is now recovering from a lower-body
ailment, and should the Wellington Firebirds advance to the Super Smash
knockout stages, he will probably play again.
Dane Cleaver, Williamson’s cousin who plays for
Central Districts in local cricket, or Auckland wicketkeeper Cam Fletcher might
step in if Blundell is deemed unfit for the Mount Maunganui Test. In Test
cricket, Fletcher and Cleaver are both without caps.
“It’s something again we’re discussing at the
moment: what’re the options if Tom is not right,” Stead said. “If
it’s a one-off Test, do you keep it or do you skin it a little bit differently
and keep the squad similar. We’ve got different options, but those guys are the
key ones at the top of our list.”
In addition, Stead made a suggestion that Trent Boult,
a free agent as of right now, might be considered for selection for the
three-match T20I series that Australia will play at home before the T20 World
Cup in the USA and the Caribbean. However, given that the left-arm quick hasn’t
played in a first-class setting recently, Stead does not see the player
returning for the Test match against South Africa.