Kane Williamson is back in the runs at the Cricket World Cup — now the unbeaten Black Caps will hope he’s not heading back to the casualty ward.
The skipper experienced a conflicting return this morning after more than six months on the sidelines, hitting a half-century to help the Black Caps earn an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh before retiring hurt late in the contest.
It wasn’t his surgically repaired right knee that forced Williamson from the field in Chennai but a painful blow to the left thumb from an errant throw, ending his innings on 78.
The 33-year-old continued to bat for a few overs after receiving initial treatment, but with the Black Caps comfortably on track to overhaul Bangladesh’s 245-9, he eventually succumbed to await the results of an X-ray on the damaged digit.
“Got a bit fat and colourful straightaway,” Williamson told the TV broadcast. “Just made holding the bat a little difficult.”
The new injury clouded what had been an encouraging comeback appearance. Williamson stroked eight boundaries and a six during his 107-ball stay, combining with Daryl Mitchell (89no off 67) in an unbroken match-winning stand of 108.
He appeared occasionally unsteady when turning for a second run but lacked nothing in timing with the bat, accumulating easily all around the ground
Williamson earlier fielded for 50 overs without incident in his first official match since rupturing his ACL, as Lockie Ferguson (3-49) led a pace attack that effectively utilised bounce to set up a third straight victory.
After facing Afghanistan on Wednesday, the Black Caps enter the segment of the schedule that will determine their semifinal fate, starting with a showdown against hosts India next Saturday.
Now a third of the way through the group stage, Gary Stead’s side appear strong contenders to reach the knockout round for a sixth straight white-ball World Cup, though may be sweating once more on Williamson.
With Will Young coming out of the XI after scoring 70 against the Netherlands, New Zealand at least have a replacement ready were Williamson to miss time.
Rachin Ravindra batted at No 3 while scoring an unbeaten hundred to beat England and a half-century in victory over the Dutch, before being promoted to open for the first time in his ODI career.
