CricketHopeful Kane Williamson ticking the marks to feature in Blackcaps World Cup squad
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New Zealand captain Kane Williamson remains hopeful of participating in the 2023 ODI World Cup, despite his ongoing recovery from a right knee injury. Williamson, who suffered an ACL rupture while fielding for the Gujarat Titans in the opening game of the IPL 2023 on March 31, continues to prioritize the proper healing of his knee.

Speaking about his recovery process, Williamson stated, “Very much just trying to keep it week-to-week at the moment. I haven’t had such a long-term injury before but talking to other people that have, the journey is a bit of a long one so if you look too far ahead, it probably can become a little bit daunting.”

Ticking off small steps towards complete rehabilitation

Acknowledging the challenges of rehabilitation, the 32-year-old emphasized the importance of taking it step by step. He added, “One week at a time, ticking off those small markers, those little wins that are nice to experience. But also knowing that the journey won’t be completely smooth and you have a few setbacks along the way that you have to navigate.”

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Williamson’s absence has been keenly felt in New Zealand’s batting lineup. He played crucial roles in their journey to the final of the 2015 and 2019 ODI World Cups, where they narrowly missed out on lifting the trophy. The Black Caps suffered defeat against Australia in 2015 and England in 2019 in a thrilling Super Over.

With an impressive ODI record of 6,554 runs at an average of 47.83, Williamson’s return would significantly bolster New Zealand’s chances in the upcoming tournament.

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Kane Williamson was man of the match in his last international match against Sri Lanka // Getty Images

Williamson keen to join nets again

Although he described his current training routine as “elementary,” Williamson eagerly awaits the opportunity to return to the nets. He expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Super keen to get back in the nets, for sure.”

The 2023 ODI World Cup is scheduled to take place in India during October and November. As Williamson continues to focus on his rehabilitation, he remains determined to make a comeback and contribute to New Zealand’s campaign in the prestigious tournament.