Former New Zealand Test captain Kane Williamson is set to make a comeback from his recent hamstring injury as he gears up for the first Test against South Africa, beginning on February 4.
Williamson shared his positive outlook on recovery, mentioning his well-progressed hamstring in recent weeks. He feels good and eagerly anticipates returning to training and reuniting with the team.
“My hamstring is good, it’s progressed well in the last couple of weeks. Feeling good, and looking forward to getting back to training and joining up with the team. The weather has been incredible. Extremely hot, so yup I am confident and like I said will just be nice to join back up with the side and I think all the guys are really looking forward to getting back together as a Test team,” Williamson said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
New Zealand, however, had their fair share of injury concerns leading up to the series. Williamson himself missed significant playing time last year due to various injuries, including a fractured thumb at the ODI World Cup. Fast bowler Kyle Jamieson and wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell have also been dealing with back and hamstring issues, respectively. While Jamieson has returned to competitive cricket, Blundell has not played a game in nearly a month.
Williamson reassured about the team’s fitness, mentioning he observed Blundell and Jamieson in the lunchroom, finding them comfortable and in good health. He believes everyone is fit and well for the upcoming series.
“I just saw them [Blundell and Jamieson] in the lunch room and they looked comfortable eating well and I think they are fine. Obviously with these injuries, they can vary a lot from individual to individual and Tom with his hamstring took a little bit longer having tendon involved. I think he is good, rearing to go and Kyle bowled a spell a few days ago and I think got through nicely. I think everyone is fit and well,” he added.
The South African squad for the series features eight uncapped players, sparking discussions within the cricketing community. Despite this, Williamson emphasised that his team is not taking the opposition lightly.
“For us, we just want to focus on the cricket that we want to play and the plans that we have, and that doesn’t change from opposition to opposition. There are adjustments within the conditions, etc., but there are a number of players in the South African side that members of our team are quite certainly familiar with playing county cricket and these things. So we are under no illusions that it is going to be a tough contest for sure. They are all very good,” he remarked.
I mean, definitely, there is less knowledge on some of their player: Williamson
When asked about the challenges posed by the unfamiliar South African players, Williamson acknowledged the challenge of facing unfamiliar players, emphasising the importance of doing homework while maintaining a primary focus on their cricket.
“I mean, definitely, there is less knowledge on some of their player. That is a challenge. A number of guys are reasonably familiar with the players but it is certainly a new-look team so like I said it is important we do our homework as we do with any opposition but also really focus on our cricket,” he added.
New Zealand, currently third in the World Test Championship points table, have never won a Test series against South Africa. Williamson emphasised the significance of securing points in the championship.
“Any win anywhere is crucial. That’s why it is difficult to micro-manage a Test championship campaign. It’s such a long period of time and the games can come a bit sporadically with the Test cricket so it’s trying to just connect together as a group, focus on the cricket that we want to play that gives us the best chance and try and do that for long periods of time. That’s the focus going into the series,” Williamson concluded.