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regular-article-logo Thursday, 02 May 2024

World Cup: Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson regain fitness but Kane Williamson to miss Netherlands match

Tom Latham will continue wearing captain’s hat on Monday as well after head coach Gary Stead indicates that Williamson is still not fully match-fit to feature against Dutch

Our Bureau Hyderabad Published 09.10.23, 08:37 AM
Kane Williamson.

Kane Williamson. File picture

New Zealand and the Netherlands have had contrasting starts to their respective World Cup campaigns. So when the two face each other here on Monday, they will have different goals to achieve.

The Black Caps played the competition opener on Thursday against defending champions England, pummelling Jos Buttler's side by nine wickets.

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New Zealand achieved the win without their regular skipper Kane Williamson, who is yet to regain match fitness having nursed an ACL injury he suffered during the IPL earlier this year.

Tom Latham, who led the side against the Three Lions, will continue wearing the captain's hat on Monday as well after head coach Gary Stead indicated that Williamson is still not fully match-fit to feature against the Dutch.

"Kane's also been progressing very well — I think the fielding is still the element for him that he's just got to get a little bit higher and get a little more trust in his body," said Stead on Sunday.

While veteran pacer Tim Southee's inclusion in the team also looks unlikely, as he is recovering from a broken and dislocated thumb, fellow speedster Lockie Ferguson should be available provided he clears the fitness test on Sunday.

As for the Dutch, they gave Pakistan a good fight against Pakistan on Friday before losing their way. They must have realised the challenges of top-level cricket and the requirement to be on the ball for the entire duration of the match. Will they be wiser on Monday?

With inputs from PTI

Rashid pledges help to victims

Calcutta: The devastating earthquakes that hit Afghanistan over the weekend have shaken Rashid Khan and the star all-rounder is eager to do his bit to help his countrymen.

Rashid, who is now in India as part of the Afghanistan squad for the ongoing ODI World Cup, took to X to pledge his help.

Rashid said he would be donating all his match fees from the World Cup and will also be organising a fundraiser.

"I learned with great sadness about the tragic consequences of the earthquake that struck the western provinces (Herat, Farah, and Badghis) of Afghanistan. I am donating all of my #CWC23 match fees to help the affected people. Soon, we will be launching a fundraising campaign to call upon those who can support the people in need," Rashid wrote.

Over 2000 people have lost their lives in the devastating earthquake, which struck western Afghanistan.

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