New Zealand sweats over Kane Williamson's fitness ahead of 20-20 World Cup opener against Pakistan

New Zealand could receive a huge jolt as skipper Kane Williamson might miss a few games of the 20-20 World Cup due to an elbow injury. The right-hand batter had missed Sunrisers Hyderabad's (SRH) last league match in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) and the side’s warm-up match against England on Wednesday (October 20) due to the same.

Advertisment

New Zealand head coach Gray Stead confirmed that Williamson’s situation will be closely monitored in the coming few days. Even though Stead sounded optimistic about Williamson attaining peak fitness, he admitted that there is a chance of him missing a few games. New Zealand are placed in Group B alongside India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The team’s first match is against Pakistan on Tuesday (October 26), and it remains to be seen if New Zealand skipper Williamson would be fit in time to play.

"Williamson’s absence from the batting crease against England was more precautionary than anything. We're still pretty hopeful and confident that if we get the rest right, initially here now, and get that balance right then he should be right to play. There’s always that chance of him skipping matches,” Stead said to stuff.co.nz.

Stead further revealed that Williamson is a meticulous trainer and he often tries to over-hit the ball at times, which could put pressure on the elbow and further exaggerate the injury which the team does not want in such a big event.

"Kane is a prodigious hitter of and balls, he loves to prepare that way as well, and in some ways that's probably the worst thing he can do, is over-hit at times. So it's really getting that balance right, between feeling ready and feeling prepared to go, and making sure we don't aggravate anything."