Kane Williamson to be sidelined for Netherlands clash

In a major blow for New Zealand, their skipper Kane Williamson, who missed the World Cup opener against England, will continue to remain on the sidelines for the side's second clash against the Netherlands on Monday (October 9) in Hyderabad. However, the good news is that fast bowlers Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee will be available for selection.

Ferguson suffered a back niggle in the first game, while Southee came into the tournament following surgery on his fractured thumb. Williamson, on the other hand, missed the game against England but batted well in the warm-up matches preceding it, scoring 54 and 37 against Pakistan and South Africa, respectively.

Williamson damaged his ACL on his right knee during the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year and was named in the New Zealand squad after a few sessions ahead of the mega event.  However, his fielding remains a concern.

"Kane's also been progressing very well. I think the fielding is still the element for him that he's just got to get a little bit higher and get a little more trust in his body," New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said.

"But he is progressing really well, and we are pretty confident he will be playing the third match for us. We have got another training to get through today, so we will finalise the team once we have got through that training. At this stage with Kane, we are looking like the third game is when he will start the tournament."

Speaking of Ferguson and Southee, Stead said, "Lockie Ferguson got through training really well, so providing he is scrubbed up okay this morning, he will be available for this next game."

"Tim Southee also got through the training really well. It was great to see him back at the bowling crease and also doing a little bit of fielding as well."

Despite having just 12 players to pick from, the Blackcaps registered a thunderous victory in the opening game agianst England, chasing down 283 with nine wickets to spare, thanks to tons by Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway. On the other hand, the Dutch went down by 81 runs against Pakistan.