Jaipur: New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will miss the upcoming three-match T20I series against India, that will commence on November 17 in Jaipur. As reported by news agency ANI, the Kiwi skipper will take a break to prepare for the 2 Tests which will be starting on November 25 in Kanpur.
“Blackcaps captain Kane Williamson will miss this week’s three-game T20 series against India as he prioritises preparing for the Test series starting on November 25 in Kanpur,” New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement.
Earlier on Monday, the New Zealand squad arrived in Jaipur on a charter flight, a day after losing the T20 World Cup final to Australia in Dubai. Since it is a bubble-to-bubble transfer, the Black Caps will not have to quarantine before the first T20I against hosts India on Wednesday.
“With the opening game of the T20 series on Wednesday evening, followed by games on Friday and Sunday night – the decision was made for Williamson to join the Test specialist group already training in Jaipur as they focus on red-ball preparation,” the statement read.
New Zealand Captain Kane Williamson will miss this week’s three-game T20 series against India to prepare for the Test series starting on November 25 in Kanpur: New Zealand Cricket pic.twitter.com/qWj9bvYQt6
— ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2021
In Williamson’s absence, Tim Southee will captain the T20 side for the opening game against India on Wednesday, while Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner are also available for both series.
“Tim Southee will captain the T20 side for the opening game on Wednesday, while Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner are also available for both series. Lockie Ferguson’s recovery from a right calf-strain continues to progress well and he is expected to be available for the T20 series.”
New Zealand will play a three-match T20I series, starting on November 17, Wednesday in Jaipur. The second T20I will be played in Ranchi while Eden Gardens in Kolkata will host the third and final T20I on Sunday. The T20I series will be followed by a two-match Test series with the second match set to be played at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, starting on December 3.
