In a major setback to the New Zealand Cricket team, their star player Kane Williamson will be forced to miss the 50 over World Cup to be held in India after he was diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The World Cup, to be hosted completely by India for the first time, is scheduled later this year between 5th October and 19th November.
Williamson had suffered the injury in his first IPL match of the season for the defending champions Gujarat Titans. While attempting to take a catch at the deep square leg boundary in the 13th over of the Chennai Super Kings’ innings, he landed awkwardly on his right knee which buckled under his weight. He saved two runs- but at a cost which no sportsperson would ever want to pay.
Here is what Kane Williamson had to say about his injury
He was immediately seen clutching his right knee on the ground in excruciating pain. Following his injury, Williamson returned to New Zealand where the severity of his injury was ascertained and he was advised surgery to repair the ligament. He will undergo the surgery once the swelling in his knee reduces, in around three weeks.
Speaking on his injury, Williamson said, “Naturally it’s disappointing to get such an injury, but my focus now is on having the surgery and starting rehab,” he said. “It’s going to take some time, but I’ll be doing everything I can to get back on the field as soon as possible.” he added. Williamson’s absence would surely be a huge setback for the Black Caps in a tournament like the World Cup. He has 13 centuries in 161 ODIs at an average of 47.83.
Here is what Twitter had to say about Kane Williamson’s injury
On Williamson’s impact on the team and explaining how difficult finding his replacement would be, Black Caps coach Gary Stead said, “You take Kane the player for a start, but then Kane the leader and the person he is within our group as well, it’s a huge spanner in the works for us,”
“We haven’t given up hope that he might be right but at this stage it does look unlikely. Our first thoughts are with Kane at the moment, it’s a tough time for him, it’s not an injury you expect…it hits you pretty hard.”, he added.
Kane Williamson: "It's going to take some time, but I'll be doing everything I can to get back on the field as soon as possible."
Praying for speedy recovery & successful surgery ❤️ Only wish is you'll be 100% alright & healed 🙏 Always by your side & praying for you. Love you pic.twitter.com/8RMha6gdDN
— 𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐘²² 🇺🇸🇮🇳 (@Sivy_KW578) April 6, 2023
Come back soon, Kane Williamson. pic.twitter.com/HAWFmcDGiu
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 3, 2023
Kane Williamson likely to miss world cup 2023 due to injury pic.twitter.com/uU10Jfwr0l
— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) April 5, 2023
Kane Williamson has left the Gujarat Titans camp.
Feel for him, he's a champion cricketer!pic.twitter.com/8DTYBjsnig
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 3, 2023
No Kane Williamson and Babar Azam in ODI WC YEAR I'm just crying life is so unfair sometimes 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/1MwtwMQxex
— ZOE 🇵🇰 (@cricketxcats) April 6, 2023
Feeling so bad for Kane Williamson
Another great who has to retire without a world cup pic.twitter.com/5KXzrHl74x— Titu (@TituTweets_) April 6, 2023
Feel for Kane Williamson.
Gave his everything to save a few runs, but that effort ruled him out of the World Cup. He was POTS in the previous WC, a big blow to New Zealand. It would've been nice to see him lead NZ in India for the WC. pic.twitter.com/8Sly0PQZPY
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 6, 2023
Kane Williamson sacrificing World Cup for saving 2 runs in an IPL match pic.twitter.com/xT1LplQUi4
— Ankit Pathak 🇮🇳 (@ankit_acerbic) April 6, 2023
