Williamson in doubt for ODI
Black Caps captain Kane Williamson is in doubt for today’s one-day international against England in Mount Maunganui with a hamstring injury.
Mark Chapman, who made his New Zealand Twenty20 debut this season, has been called into the squad as cover.
New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said Williamson had a ‘‘mild hamstring strain’’ and was ‘‘day to day’’.
‘‘If he proves he’s fit, he’ll definitely play,’’ Hesson said.
Chapman has been brought into the squad with George Worker unavailable due to an injury suffered in last Saturday’s Ford Trophy final.
Tim Southee will captain NZ if Williamson isn’t fit to play.
‘‘If he [Williamson] proves his fitness, he’ll definitely play, otherwise Mark Chapman will play,’’ Hesson said at Bay Oval yesterday ahead of the second day-night ODI in the five-game series.
‘‘He’s had a few little niggles over the last few months. This is just a mild hamstring strain, but one he’s obviously got to make sure he’s 100 per cent ready to go.
‘‘It’s a big blow – Kane’s obviously a high-quality player.
‘‘But we’ve got to have confidence in our squad as well. There’ll be some minor adjustments there but throughout the year, even when Kane hasn’t played, we’ve been able to put in a performance, so that won’t be an excuse.
‘‘Your side’s got to be good enough to be able to cope with those things from time to time and I guess that is the advantage of using some different players throughout the year.
‘‘George Worker would have come in as a top three replacement but unfortunately George stood on a ball in the Ford Trophy final and has an issue with his ankle,’’ Hesson added.
‘‘Obviously disappointing if he is ruled out but ... hopefully he’ll be all right,’’ said NZ wicketkeeperbatsman Tom Latham, who played a big role in his side’s three-wicket win in the series opener in Hamilton on Sunday.
Latham struck the ball sweetly from the outset in his 79 from 84 balls in a 178-run fourth-wicket partnership with Ross Taylor as the hosts recovered from a poor start.
It was just the left-hander’s second half-century in 32 ODI innings in New Zealand – in contrast to his fine form overseas – and something he can’t explain.
‘‘I’d love to be able to put the finger on it,’’ Latham said.
‘‘It’s one of those things – cricket’s a funny game, it ebbs and flows and I haven’t quite had the success I’ve had overseas but hopefully what happened the other night is a step in the right direction.
‘‘Some days you hit the ball and it goes straight to the fielders and some days they go in the gap. Lucky for me, they went in the gap and I got a good start and tried to wrestle back a little momentum.’’
Latham said he’s adjusting to his middle-order role and having the wicketkeeping duties after often being used as an ODI opener.
‘‘It’s been enjoyable to date. I’m learning from different situations – when to play aggressively and when to not.
‘‘In the middle order, your game changes to much depending on the match situation. So it’s about trying to recognise that and when to adapt to play the right sort of way.’’