Kane Williamson to miss first Test against India due to groin injury

On October 9 (Wednesday), New Zealand’s hopes of winning a Test series in India suffered a body blow, as their ace-batter Kane Williamson will miss the first Test. Williamson, who suffered a groin injury during the second Test against Sri Lanka, has not been able to get fit for the Bengaluru Test against India.

Sam Wells, the New Zealand selector, confirmed the development but maintained that Williamson would be available for selection later on in the series after his rehabilitation. 

"The advice we've received is that the best course of action is for Kane to rest and rehabilitate now rather than risk aggravating the injury. We're hopeful that if the rehabilitation goes to plan Kane will be available for the latter part of the tour,” Wells said. 

"While it's obviously disappointing to not have Kane available from the start of the tour, it provides an opportunity for someone else to play a role in an important series."

Mark Chapman, who has travelled extensively with the team in the white-ball formats, is set to replace Williamson in the side. While not at Williamson’s level, Chapman has had considerable success in first-class cricket, averaging 41.9. He has also smashed a century against India A. 

"We believe Mark is one of our best players of spin and has a proven track-record in the sub-continent," said Wells. "Mark has displayed an ability to play spin proactively in the international arena, and combined with his excellent first-class record, we see him as someone who can succeed in the type of conditions we expect to encounter in India."

Wells also announced that Michael Bracewell will return home after the Bengaluru Test for the birth of his second child. Ish Sodhi has been named as his replacement for the last two Tests. 

The first game of the three-match Test series is set to begin on October 16 (Wednesday) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. 

New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (2nd and 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young

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