New Zealand captain and world No 1 batsman Kane Williamson to MISS second and final Test against England to rest elbow injury ahead of World Test Championship final… with Tom Latham to lead Kiwis at Edgbaston
- The world’s No 1 batsman will not be risked by New Zealand this week
- He has been managing a tendon injury in his left elbow for several months
- Latham will step up to lead the team out at Edgbaston on Thursday
- The rain-affected first Test ended in draw at Lord’s on Sunday
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the decisive second Test against England at Edgbaston.
The world’s No 1 batsman has been managing a tendon injury in his left elbow for several months and, with the forthcoming World Test Championship final against India being the squad’s overwhelming priority, he will not be risked this week.
Instead, Tom Latham will step up to lead the team out on Thursday, with everything to play for after a rain-affected draw last time out at Lord’s. He has captained his country on two previous occasions.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the second Test against England
The world’s No 1 batsman will not be risked ahead of the World Test Championship final
Batsman Will Young will come in to the side in Williamson’s place, having spent the early part of the season as Durham’s overseas professional.
He enjoyed a profitable time while acclimatising to English conditions at the Emirates Riverside, scoring back-to-back centuries against Warwickshire and Worcestershire in the LV= Insurance County Championship.
Black Caps head coach Gary Stead said: ‘It’s not an easy decision for Kane to have to miss a Test, but we think it’s the right one.
Opener Tom Latham will lead New Zealand in the second Test, starting on Thursday
‘He’s had an injection in his elbow to relieve the irritation he’s been experiencing when he bats and a period of rest and rehabilitation will help maximise his recovery.
‘The decision has been made very much with the ICC World Test Championship final at Southampton in mind and we are confident he will be ready for that match starting on June 18.’