Follow UsKane Williamson has fractured his left thumb after he was struck while running between the wickets during the match agianst Bangladesh in Chennai on Friday (October 13)," New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have confirmed.
As a result, Williamson is expected to miss the remainder of the World Cup matches this month. Williamson played his first One-Day International (ODI) for the Blackcaps since January this year as he was out for most part of the year after rupturing his ACL on the right knee.
An X-ray has confirmed an undisplaced fracture to Kane Williamson’s left thumb.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 14, 2023
He will remain in the @cricketworldcup squad with the aim of being available for the back end of pool play next month.
Tom Blundell will travel to India as cover. #CWC23 https://t.co/5CjHG0FV9h
Tom Blundell will travel to India as a cover for the New Zealand skipper. “Firstly, we’re all feeling for Kane to have this occur after all his hard work to return from his knee injury,” Head coach Gary Stead said.
“While it’s disappointing news, the initial diagnosis has given us some optimism he can still feature later in the pool play following a period of rest and rehabilitation.
“Kane is clearly a massive part of our side and a world-class player and captain - so we’ll look to give him every opportunity we can to return in the tournament.”
Stead also confirmed that Henry Nicholls was initially considered ahead of Blundell, but the southpaw suffered a mild side strain during the Plunket Shield warm-up fixture against Otago.
“Tom’s been with the one-day side on tours to Pakistan and Bangladesh and performed well,” Stead said.
“He covers multiple positions in the batting order, and his wicket-keeping skills are also an added bonus as a back-up.”
New Zealand, who have won all three matches in the World Cup so far, take on Afghanistan next on Wednesday (October 18) in Chennai. Tom Latham, who led the side in Williamson's absence against England and the Netherlands, will continue to lead the side for the upcoming fixtures.