Image Source- ICC
After recovering from their respective injuries,
Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee are expected to join the New Zealand team for
their second World Cup game against Netherlands. Kane Williamson, the team’s
captain, will probably continue to watch from the sidelines, according to head
coach Gary Stead.
“Lockie Ferguson got through training really well
so providing he is scrubbed up okay this morning, he will be available for this
next game,” Stead said. “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.
“He will just get a final x-ray done this morning
and we will make a call after that but it is all looking good for selection
from now on and into the rest of the tournament.”
Due to their history of injuries, New Zealand only had
12 healthy players to choose from for their opening match against England.
Ferguson missed the contest because of a back ailment, while Southee, who
underwent surgery to treat a fractured right thumb before the tournament, was
unable to make it back in time.
Williamson, on the other hand, will continue to sit
out of the starting lineup while he recovers from an ACL tear he sustained in
the IPL earlier this year. Williamson participated in the two exhibition
matches against Pakistan and South Africa, performing admirably and scoring 54
and 37 points, respectively, before leaving the pitch.
He missed the opening game against England and is now
targeting a comeback in New Zealand’s third game against Bangladesh on October
13 in Chennai.
“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,” 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.”