The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 kicked off with a bang, setting the stage for a record-breaking tournament. New Zealand made a powerful statement by defeating the reigning champions, England, in the opening match.
New Zealand now tops the table with four points and an amazing Net Run Rate of +1.958. They managed to clinch victory against England and the Netherlands, all while without their regular captain, Kane Williamson, who was sidelined due to physical difficulties. However, there’s some wonderful news on the horizon for New Zealand fans, as Williamson has been given the green light to return for their forthcoming encounter.
New Zealand’s next task is slated for Friday, October 13th, when they take on Bangladesh at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. It’s a game-changing moment for the Black Caps, with Williamson’s comeback likely to improve their batting order greatly, as he displayed in the warm-up matches.
The Chennai surface is well-known for its spin-friendly conditions, and Williamson has a great track record against spin bowlers. Rachin Ravindra has been brilliant in both of New Zealand’s previous games, accumulating 174 runs in his two innings, including a spectacular debut with an unbeaten century against England. Williamson, who had been sidelined for the last six months due to a knee ailment, was also picked up by an IPL team in 2023.
On Wednesday, Kiwi head coach Gary Stead confirmed that the regular captain has shown good growth and has checked all the boxes to play his first game of the tournament. He said, “At this stage, all things are looking good for Kane’s return in this game – but we still say that with an air of caution. He’s had a great five or six last days, really ramped up the fielding aspect of things.”
Stead also mentioned that if Williamson recovers from his injury, he’ll be part of the starting lineup. He emphasized the need to assess the best possible combination for the day.
Also Read: New Zealand Thrashed Defending Champions In The World Cup Opener
