New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is facing another period of recovery after scans confirmed a fractured thumb during the World Cup match against Bangladesh.
This unfortunate injury occurred in Williamson's first game in seven months, following a serious knee injury that had kept him sidelined.
Despite the setback, Coach Gary Stead stated that Williamson will continue to be part of the squad and might make a return to the field "towards the end of the pool play next month."
The 33-year-old sustained a left thumb injury when he was struck by a throw while running between the wickets in the recent match against Bangladesh in Chennai. This forced him to retire with a score of 78.
To provide cover during Williamson's rehabilitation, batsman Tom Blundell will travel to India, although he won't be formally included in the squad, as confirmed by New Zealand Cricket.
Williamson's return to cricket was already marred by the knee injury he suffered while playing in the Indian Premier League in March. He had missed the opening World Cup matches against England and the Netherlands before being deemed fit to play against Bangladesh.
Coach Stead expressed empathy for Williamson, acknowledging the disappointment of this injury setback after the considerable effort put into recovering from his knee injury.
However, there is hope that, with some rest and rehabilitation, he might be able to make a comeback during the later stages of the pool play.
Stead underlined Williamson's significance to the team, referring to him as a world-class player and captain. The team is determined to provide every possible opportunity for him to return during the tournament.
If Williamson's recovery period extends until November, he will miss out on crucial pool games against Afghanistan, India, and Australia over the next two weeks. Despite the challenges, New Zealand currently sits at the top of the 10-nation table with three wins in three games.
The top four teams in the tournament will qualify for the semi-finals, with the final scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad on November 19.
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