Just months after facing the threat of being sidelined from the upcoming ODI World Cup due to knee surgery, Kane Williamson's unwavering determination to lead New Zealand in India has been the driving force behind his recovery.
In April, the 33-year-old cricketer suffered a torn cruciate ligament in his right knee while playing for the Indian Premier League's Gujarat Titans, casting doubt on his participation in the prestigious tournament.
However, thanks to rigorous rehabilitation efforts, Williamson has made a remarkably swift recovery.
He aspires to be fully prepared for New Zealand's opening match against defending champions England on October 5, a rematch of the closely contested 2019 final.
"It would be great. Naturally, you want to be back playing when you are fit and ready, sooner rather than later," Williamson expressed. He emphasised his focus on day-to-day rehab without pushing too hard to meet specific deadlines.
Williamson has already resumed batting practice in the nets, a task his injured knee can handle. He mentioned, "For running, it's not quite 100 percent, but making good progress."
New Zealand's coach, Gary Stead, refrained from setting a fixed return date for Williamson, but his comeback will undoubtedly provide a significant boost to the team. In the 2019 World Cup, Williamson was named the player of the tournament, displaying exceptional performance with centuries against South Africa and the West Indies.
Williamson, with over 6,500 runs in ODI cricket, is determined to participate in his fourth World Cup, acknowledging that the prospect keeps him committed to daily workouts. He remarked, "It's been really pleasing to see the progress and keep taking those little steps forward."
Although Williamson's injury has limited his preparation time, he remains optimistic. He stated, "Naturally, it isn't ideal, but I didn't get too much of a say in it. It's the only option I have in front of me, and the prospect of playing in another World Cup is really, really exciting."
He acknowledged that while he has a burning desire to play, he would not hesitate to withdraw from the squad if his injury resurfaced. "I only want to be there if I can add some value, and I'm fit and ready to go," he emphasised.
Having previously endured a lengthy period on the sidelines due to an elbow injury, Williamson is no stranger to working through injuries. He embraces the goal of being ready for whatever challenges lie ahead, saying, "Working through injuries is part of the job, so being ready for whatever's next is the goal."
