WELLINGTON: Coach Gary Stead announced on Monday that Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain, is unlikely to participate in the remaining two matches of the series against Pakistan due to a hamstring injury sustained during the second Twenty20.
Williamson was initially ruled out of the upcoming third game scheduled for Wednesday, and Stead expressed concerns about his availability for the final two matches, considering the upcoming first Test against South Africa in less than three week.
“With the test matches so close as well and in the big scheme of things (they are) a higher priority I think we’ll try and make sure he’s right for that,” Stead said.
New Zealand holds a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, with Williamson making a valuable contribution of 26 runs off 15 balls before retiring hurt during Sunday’s second match, where his team secured a 21-run victory.
Tim Seifert is anticipated to step in for Williamson in the batting lineup, as indicated by Stead, who had previously suggested that Seifert would take over the wicketkeeping duties from Devon Conway at some point in the series.
