WELLINGTON: Pro­lific New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson will miss the third and final Test against India starting on Friday in Mumbai in the hope that his groin strain clears up in time to face England next month, New Zealand Cricket said on Tuesday.

The Blacks Caps on Saturday managed a first ever Test series triumph in India without the former captain, who has remained in New Zealand to work on his recovery from the injury he sustained in a recent series against Sri Lanka.

“Kane continues to show good signs, but isn’t quite ready to jump on a plane and join us,” coach Gary Stead said in a news release.

“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.

“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.”

Williamson is New Zealand’s greatest Test run-scorer with 8,881 runs from 102 matches at an average of 54.48.

He experienced groin discomfort during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle last month.

England’s three-match tour of New Zealand begins at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Nov 28 with further Tests following in Wellington and Hamilton in December.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2024