Tom Latham will lead New Zealand in the 2nd Test against England in Nottingham.
New Zealand suffered a major setback ahead of the second Test of the ongoing three-match Test series against England as their captain, Kane Williamson will miss the crucial second Test at Trent Bridge, after testing COVID positive.
Williamson has been ruled out of the second Test against England, starting on Friday (June 10) at Trent Bridge, Nottingham after testing positive for COVID-19 on the eve of the match. In his absence, Tom Latham will captain the New Zealand team in the second Test against England.
Gary Stead, New Zealand’s head coach, confirmed that Hamish Rutherford, who is currently playing county cricket for Leicestershire, will join the side as Williamson’s replacement in Nottingham on Friday.
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After experiencing minor symptoms on Thursday, Williamson underwent a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), and his test returned positive for COVID. However, the rest of the New Zealand team returned negative in the RAT test, as the second Test match can go ahead without any hindrance.
However, the Kiwi skipper will now begin five days of isolation and Stead expressed disappointment over the latest development, as they have already lost all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme due to a heel injury. Grandhomme was ruled out of the Test series and was replaced by Michael Bracewell.
Stead said in a statement: “It's such a shame for Kane to be forced to withdraw on the eve of such an important match. We're all feeling for him at this time and know how disappointed he will be.”
He signed off by saying, “Hamish was with the Test squad earlier in the tour and has been playing for the Leicestershire Foxes in the Vitality T20 Blast.”
(With Reuters Inputs)