Kane Williamson to miss second Test versus England: Here's why
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson will skip the second Test of the three-match series against England, starting June 10. Williamson tested COVID-19 positive on the eve of the Test match. The 31-year-old had made a return to Tests, having last played in the whites in December 2021. Notably, New Zealand lost the first Test at Lord's by five wickets. Here's more.
Williamson under isolation; Latham to captain New Zealand
As per a statement issued from New Zealand Cricket (NZC), Williamson underwent a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) after experiencing mild symptoms during the daytime. He will now undergo five days of isolation. Meanwhile, the rest of the touring party have reported negative results. However, they will continue to follow the health and safety protocols. Tom Latham will captain NZ in Williamson's absence.
Rutherford added to NZ's Test squad
33-year-old Hamish Rutherford will replace Williamson for the second Test. The southpaw has been playing for the Leicester Foxes in the T20 Blast underway. Across 17 Tests, Rutherford has amassed 755 runs at 26.96. He has a hundred and a fifty each, with the best score of 171 against England in 2013. He last played a Test in January 2015 (vs England).
Williamson had a poor run in IPL 2022
Williamson, who had recovered from an elbow injury, looked out of sorts in the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League. The SRH skipper managed 216 runs at an average and strike rate of 19.63 and 93.50 respectively. He skipped the final league match as he flew back home for the birth of his second child.
A look at Latham's captaincy numbers in Tests
Latham had captained the Kiwis in the last two Test series against Bangladesh and South Africa at home. NZ clawed back to level 1-1 versus Bangladesh. Against South Africa, the hosts lost the series decider, eventually winding up with a 1-1 score-line. Latham first captained New Zealand against Australia in January 2020. Overall, he has four wins and four losses as a Test skipper.
Grandhomme ruled out; Nicholls fit for selection
All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme suffered a heel injury during the first Test. As a result, he has been ruled out for the remainder of the series. Notably, Grandhomme had clocked 42*(50) and 1/24 in the first innings of the Lord's Test. Henry Nicholls, who has recovered from a calf injury, will replace the former. The southpaw has amassed 2,544 runs across 46 Tests.
