New Zealand veteran batter and white ball captain Kane Williamson recently opened up on his participation in the 2023 ICC World Cup. Williamson will be joining the New Zealand team in England and continuing his rehab, recovering well.
Earlier this year, while playing in the IPL for the Gujarat Titans, Kane Williamson faced a major setback. He suffered a serious injury to his right knee, specifically tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), during a match against the Chennai Super Kings. As a result, he had to exit the entire tournament abruptly. After the incident, he swiftly returned to New Zealand.
“To be at the World Cup is always special. It’s still just guesswork at the moment in terms of when the day is or how it’s tracking at the time. There’s a lot of work to do. I am just really following the program, with the professionals for physio, the support staff, and New Zealand cricket,” Williamson was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“And it’s tough, because you do have some good days, and then you have a few variable ones. However, something like that [World Cup] in the back of your mind is obviously motivating, and you want to keep seeing those improvements,” he added.
Interestingly, he has joined the New Zealand squad in England. Although they have a busy schedule with T20Is and ODIs, he won’t be participating in these matches. Instead, he will continue his rehabilitation process alongside his teammates. He offered insights into his recovery journey. “Rehabilitation comes with its challenges, but I’m making steady progress,” he shared. His current focus is on regaining the ability to run. “This phase of recovery is gradual, but it’s definitely moving forward,” he affirmed.
A pressing question remains: When will he be back on the field? Kane Williamson’s response was cautious. Regarding the upcoming New Zealand series against Bangladesh in September, he didn’t commit to a return. “It’s a complex situation,” he explained. “Physical training is important, but true healing is crucial.” According to his perspective, the Bangladesh series might be a bit too early for his return.
Williamson also shed light on his practice routines. Eager to resume regular net sessions, he discussed his approach. “I’m trying to enhance certain movements to prepare for intense matches,” he shared. He concluded with optimism, “Recovery is progressing well, and I’m hopeful to be back soon.”
