Cricket

Kane Williamson, the New Zealand cricket captain, made a triumphant return to competitive cricket after a two-month absence due to a groin injury. Playing for Northern Districts in the Plunket Shield match against Auckland, Williamson scored a solid 60 runs, demonstrating his unwavering determination and skill.Auckland won the toss and elected to field, giving Northern Districts the opportunity to bat first. Williamson entered the crease after the fall of the first wicket and played a patient and composed innings. He faced 122 deliveries, hitting seven boundaries during his nearly three-hour stay at the crease.Williamson formed a crucial partnership with Robert O'Donnell, adding 52 runs for the fourth wicket. He also shared a 36-run stand with Brett Hampton before being dismissed lbw by Jordan Sussex.This match marked Williamson's first appearance in the Plunket Shield in five years, having last played in the competition in October 2019. Despite his extended absence, Williamson expressed his deep connection to Northern Districts, stating, "You always feel like an ND man, whether you are here or not."Williamson's return to competitive cricket is a significant boost for New Zealand ahead of their upcoming Test series against England. He missed the Test tour of India and the white-ball series in Sri Lanka due to his injury, but his inclusion in the squad for the England series is a testament to his importance to the team.The first Test against England will commence on November 28 in Christchurch, followed by matches in Wellington and Hamilton. This series will also mark the final Test appearances for Williamson's long-time teammate, Tim Southee, unless New Zealand qualifies for the World Test Championship final next year.

Kane Williamson has hailed the "incredible" career of his close friend Tim Southee after the pace bowler announced his retirement from Tests following the England series.Williamson and Southee's careers have been intertwined since their junior and Under-19 days, through domestic cricket, and into all formats for New Zealand. The pair played their 100th Tests together against Australia earlier this year, with Williamson making his debut two-and-a-half years after Southee.Williamson, New Zealand's leading run-scorer in Test history, praised Southee's longevity and achievements. "To do it as long as Tim has is incredible as a fast bowler," Williamson said. "There's not many in the history of the game who have been able to achieve what he has."Southee's retirement marks the latest departure from an era of successful New Zealand players, including Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, and Neil Wagner. Trent Boult has also stepped away from Tests and T20Is.Williamson acknowledged the changing landscape of the team but emphasized the excitement for the future. "It's life, isn't it," he said. "You do realize you are closer towards the end than the start."Williamson, who will return from a groin injury against England, also discussed his own career and the challenges of managing his body in the latter stages. "It's not major, which is good," he said. "But I've certainly had a few reminders that I'm not invincible."Despite missing the historic 3-0 victory in India, Williamson praised the team's performance. "To go over and play the way they did, so special, one of our all-time cricketing memories," he said.

Kane Williamson's return from injury has bolstered New Zealand's squad for the upcoming Test series against England, while Nathan Smith has earned his maiden Test call-up.Williamson, who missed the recent tour of India due to a groin injury, has recovered in time to take his place in the squad. His return could put pressure on Will Young, who impressed as player of the series in India.Smith, a 26-year-old allrounder, has been rewarded for his impressive performances in domestic cricket. He was the leading wicket-taker in last season's Plunket Shield and has also performed well for Worcestershire in the County Championship.Uncapped seamer Jacob Duffy has also been included in the squad, while Bear Sears and Kyle Jamieson are unavailable due to injuries. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who took 13 wickets in Pune, will join the group for the second and third Tests in Wellington and Hamilton.Ajaz Patel, who claimed 15 wickets against India, has been omitted from the squad, meaning his record of taking all 85 of his Test wickets away from home will remain intact for now.The opening Test against England takes place in Christchurch from November 28. New Zealand will be looking to build on their 3-0 win in India, which has given them a chance of reaching the World Test Championship final."It's obviously a big series for the side in terms of the World Test Championship and to also now be farewelling someone like Tim Southee, only raises it up further," said New Zealand selector Sam Wells."Tim has had a fabulous career and will go down as one of the great Black Caps. I am sure the team and the public will want to give Tim a fitting send-off in what is a highly anticipated series."

Will Young's rise to prominence in the New Zealand Test team has been a testament to his resilience and determination. After years of waiting in the wings as a reserve batter, Young seized the opportunity to make his mark in the historic 3-0 Test series win over India.With Kane Williamson sidelined due to injury, Young was thrust into the spotlight. However, instead of feeling the pressure, he embraced the challenge as a chance to establish his own identity. "I've been in and out through form or selection," Young said. "I've been a reserve batter for a number of years now, so I've come to know the feeling of running the drinks really well."Young's confidence stemmed from his preparation and the support of his teammates. "We had three really good camps leading into the series back home, and he [Williamson] was at those camps," Young said. "But it's great at the moment because we've got fantastic batters all throughout our line-up."Young's approach was to play to his strengths and not try to imitate Williamson. "I try not to bat like Kane, I try to bat like me and do it my own way," he said.The series victory was particularly satisfying for Young, as it marked the first time a New Zealand team had beaten India 3-0 on their home soil. "As a New Zealander coming over here and playing in Indian conditions, it's always going to be slightly more satisfaction of scoring runs against spin," Young said.Young's contributions were crucial, particularly in the third Test at Mumbai, where his scores of 71 and 51 helped New Zealand secure the series win. He finished the series as the third-highest run-getter, behind Rishabh Pant and Rachin Ravindra.Young's success is a reminder that even in the shadow of greatness, there is always an opportunity to shine. By embracing his own style and seizing his chance, he has become an integral part of New Zealand's Test team.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead is confident that captain Kane Williamson will return to action for the first Test against England, scheduled for November 28-December 2 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Williamson suffered a groin injury during the tour of Sri Lanka, but the team management has opted for a cautious approach to his rehabilitation.Despite Williamson's absence, New Zealand pulled off a historic Test series victory in India, with Will Young stepping up in his place. However, tearaway quick Ben Sears is likely to miss the England series due to a knee injury.Stead expressed his confidence in Williamson's availability for the first Test against England, stating that they could have rushed him back for the Mumbai Test but decided against it to ensure proper recovery. He praised the team's performance in Williamson's absence, highlighting Young's contributions.Sears' injury could pave the way for a potential Test debut for Nathan Smith, who was recently added to New Zealand's central contracts list. Smith impressed as the top wicket-taker in the 2023-24 Plunket Shield.Stead also expressed optimism about New Zealand's chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final. With four remaining Tests, they need to win each to finish on 64.29%. Stead drew inspiration from their previous WTC triumph in 2019-21, where they won six consecutive Tests.

Kane Williamson to Miss Third Test Against India, Focuses on Groin RecoveryNew Zealand cricket captain Kane Williamson will not join his team for the third Test against India in Mumbai, opting instead to remain in New Zealand and prioritize his recovery from a groin injury. The decision aims to ensure Williamson's fitness for the upcoming three-Test series against England, commencing on November 28 at Hagley Oval.Head coach Gary Stead confirmed Williamson's progress but emphasized that he is not yet ready for international travel. "Kane continues to show good signs, but isn’t quite ready to jump on a plane and join us," Stead stated.Stead explained the team's cautious approach, prioritizing Williamson's full recovery in time for the England series. "While things are looking promising, we think the best course of action is for him to stay in New Zealand and focus on the final part of his rehabilitation so he’ll be good to go for England," Stead said. "The England series is still a month away so taking the cautious approach now will ensure he is ready for the first Test in Christchurch."New Zealand's impressive performance in the first two Tests against India has secured them a 2-0 series victory. They triumphed by eight wickets in Bengaluru and 113 runs in Pune. The third Test in Mumbai is scheduled for Friday.Williamson's absence from the third Test is a setback for New Zealand, but the team remains confident in their ability to perform well. They will be led by Tom Latham, who has captained the side in Williamson's absence.

The highly anticipated Test series between India and New Zealand shifts to Pune for the second match, commencing on Thursday, October 24. The hosts, led by Rohit Sharma, will be eager to redeem themselves after their disappointing defeat in the first Test in Bengaluru.In the opening match, New Zealand emerged victorious by a commanding 8 wickets, largely due to India's disastrous first innings collapse, where they were bundled out for a mere 46 runs. Despite a valiant fightback in the second innings, the Indian batsmen were unable to salvage the match.Both teams have now set up camp in Pune, hoping for favorable weather conditions that will allow for a full five days of play. According to the latest weather forecast, the opening day of the match is expected to be partly cloudy, with temperatures hovering around the early 30s. The cloud cover is predicted to be 58% in the morning, reducing to 43% in the afternoon.India's victory in Pune would significantly strengthen their position at the top of the World Test Championship 2023-25 table. To bolster their squad, they have added spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar. New Zealand, on the other hand, will continue to be without their regular skipper Kane Williamson, who is still undergoing rehabilitation.The second Test promises to be an intriguing contest, with both teams determined to prove their mettle. India will be looking to bounce back from their Bengaluru setback, while New Zealand will aim to maintain their momentum and secure a series victory.

Former England captain Alastair Cook believes that New Zealand's Kane Williamson is the only player who can match the exceptional form of Joe Root at present. Root, along with Virat Kohli and Steven Smith, forms the 'Fab Four' of Test cricket. However, Root has consistently outperformed his rivals in recent years.With 12,716 Test runs, Root is just 3,206 runs behind Sachin Tendulkar's record of 15,921 runs. Root's remarkable consistency has made him a formidable force in Test cricket.Cook, who played alongside Root for England, is impressed by his friend's unwavering hunger for runs. "I think at this precise moment in time, I find it hard to see anyone playing as well as Joe Root," Cook said. "Over the last year or so of the so-called 'Big Four', I think Williamson and him are probably in the best form at the moment."Williamson, who is also part of the 'Fab Four', has been in excellent form himself. However, a groin strain has ruled him out of the first two Tests of New Zealand's series against India.Cook believes that both Root and Williamson possess a unique combination of talent and determination. "They're all wonderful, wonderful players, all very different, actually, in their methods and ways of playing," Cook said. "But one thing which, kind of unites them is that hunger and desire to keep improving and keep churning out the runs."Root is currently playing in the three-match Test series against Pakistan, while Williamson is expected to return for the third Test against India. The battle between these two exceptional batsmen will be one of the highlights of the upcoming Test matches.

New Zealand's star batter Kane Williamson has been officially ruled out of the second Test against India, scheduled to commence on October 24 in Pune. Williamson continues to recuperate from a groin strain he sustained during the recent series against Sri Lanka.Head coach Gary Stead confirmed the decision, stating that while Williamson's recovery is progressing, he is not yet physically fit enough for the rigors of Test cricket. "Kane is moving in the right direction, but he's not at 100% fitness yet," Stead explained. "We're hopeful that he'll show further improvement and be available for the third Test."The New Zealand team is adopting a cautious approach with Williamson's recovery, ensuring he receives ample time to regain full fitness. "We'll give him as much time as possible to get himself ready, but certainly continue to take a cautious approach," Stead added.Williamson's absence is a setback for the Kiwis, who currently hold a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after a thrilling first Test victory in Bengaluru. The New Zealand camp remains optimistic about Williamson's availability for the third Test, with the team management closely monitoring his recovery.Meanwhile, New Zealand made history in the first Test by securing their first victory on Indian soil in 36 years. They chased down 107 runs on the final day, defeating India by eight wickets. Rachin Ravindra (39 not out) and Will Young (48 not out) led the successful chase with a 75-run partnership, giving the visitors a 1-0 series lead.