New Zealand will be without their captain Kane Williamson in the crucial third and final T20I of the home series against India, to be played on November 22 in Napier. Williamson had hit a fifty in New Zealand’s 65-run defeat against Team India in the second T20I on Sunday (November 20).
On Monday, November 21, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed that Williamson will miss the third T20I because of a pre-arranged medical appointment, and in his absence, Tim Southee will take up captaincy duties.
However, Williamson is expected to rejoin the team before the ODI series. The Black Caps have also called up Mark Chapman for the must-win third T20I, as the hosts will certainly be looking to level the T20I series by winning the final match.
Notably, the Indian team already has a 1-0 lead in the T20I series, having won the second match at Mount Maunganui after the first T20I in Wellington was abandoned due to rain on November 18.
The NZC said in an official statement: “Blackcaps captain Kane Williamson will miss the third T20I in Napier on Tuesday to attend a pre-arranged medical appointment. Auckland Aces batsman Mark Chapman will join the T20 squad in Napier today.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead confirmed that the medical appointment had nothing to do with Williamson's past elbow issue and that he will join the squad in Auckland ahead of the three-match ODI series opener at Eden Park on Friday (November 25).
Stead stated: “Kane's been trying to get this booked in for a while now, but unfortunately it hasn't been able to fit into our schedule. The health and well-being of our players and staff is paramount, and we look forward to seeing him in Auckland.”
He signed off by saying about Chapman, “He's a quality player who offers good versatility in the order.”
(NZC inputs)
