How Southee pipped Latham
Tim Southee is in line to become New Zealand’s 30th test cricket captain on Saturday, but Kane Williamson’s availability for the third test remains no clearer.
Injury watch will continue in Christchurch ahead of the Black Caps’ attempt at a 3-0 series sweep of Bangladesh, after Wellington wicketkeeper Tom Blundell was summoned as cover for BJ Watling who suffered a minor hamstring strain.
It swelled the squad to 14 with Will Young and Todd Astle returning from Plunket Shield duty, Central Stags batsman Young poised for a much-awaited test debut if Williamson is ruled out with a grade one tear in his left pectoral muscle.
In a statement confirming Blundell’s call-up for his potential third test appearance, the Black Caps said Williamson and Watling would have until tomorrow to prove their fitness.
On Tuesday, coach Gary Stead insisted Williamson’s injury was minor, even though the skipper appeared in considerable pain when scoring 74 at the Basin Reserve a day earlier.
‘‘If there’s any chance of risk then we’re likely to pull him from that game,’’ the coach said after New Zealand’s innings and 12 run victory in Wellington.
Judging by Stead’s comments Williamson remains keen to play in Christchurch if his condition
Gary Stead
improves, seemingly a big risk for New Zealand’s prized cricketing asset 11 weeks out from the World Cup.
It also raised the blurred question of Williamson’s deputy in test cricket, and if injury should strike him at the World Cup.
Black Caps team releases never specify a vice-captain, and former coach Mike Hesson was reluctant to even confirm Williamson as Brendon McCullum’s deputy. Tom Latham has long been tipped as Williamson’s eventual successor, and he led the team in the third ODI against Bangladesh when the captain rested.
His status as a guaranteed ODI selection, whilst Southee competes with Matt Henry for a new ball spot, makes Latham the more likely World Cup deputy.
Southee captained in one ODI against England last season, and three Twenty20 internationals, and was handed the reins when Williamson left the ground for medical attention on Monday.
‘‘Tim, in my mind, won that because of the experience he has and the time he’s had in the game,’’ Stead said.
‘‘That’s not saying Tom is not experienced – he clearly is – but Tim’s been a part of the New Zealand Cricket set-up for the last
10-12 years now and he’s an experienced guy who reads the game really well.
‘‘Managing the five bowlers out there was always a little bit of a challenge but I thought he did a great job.’’
Stead wouldn’t commit to a skipper for Christchurch, saying that would be decided if or when Williamson was ruled out.
In his captaincy era which began in mid-2016 after McCullum’s retirement, Williamson’s only missed test was against India in Kolkata in October 2016 due to illness. Ross Taylor stood in for that test at late notice.
With the second test victory over Bangladesh, Williamson’s test captaincy record extended to
14 wins from 24 tests in charge as the Black Caps ensured their season-ending world No 2 ranking.
It’s a remarkable record, now clear of McCullum and Geoff Howarth’s 11 wins and behind only Stephen Fleming who won
28 of his 80 tests at the helm. Southee, meanwhile, said he would jump at the chance to lead the team in Christchurch, and said senior men like Latham and Taylor made it an easier task. ‘‘If the opportunity comes it’s always an honour and a privilege.’’
‘‘Managing the five bowlers out there was always a little bit of a challenge but I thought he (Southee) did a great job.’’