Big blow as Caps captain Kane ruled out of test with Covid
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson’s run of cricketing misfortune has continued on the England tour.
He is missing the second test in Nottingham which started overnight after testing positive for Covid-19.
Williamson had a rapid antigen test after experiencing symptoms on the match eve and has begun five days of isolation.
The rest of the touring party returned negative tests.
The news continues an extraordinary run of illness, injury and, on a solitary occasion, joy for the skipper.
He has been absent for half of the country’s last 18 tests since falling ill at the start of 2020 before playing Australia in Sydney. The West Indies’ second test in Wellington during December 2020 was missed when he and wife Sarah became parents for the first time to daughter Maggie.
Paddy has since joined them last month.
Williamson’s troublesome left elbow required rest for the second test against England exactly a year ago at Birmingham, before the world championship final.
The 31-year-old’s chances of playing the second test away against India were thwarted by a recurrence, which extended to the home summer.
Hamish Rutherford shaped as a Stephen “Beaver” Donald-like call-up to replace Williamson for the second test after joining the squad from Leicestershire, where he had been playing in the Twenty20 Blast. He last featured in a test during January 2015 against Sri Lanka at Wellington.
Instead, batting all-rounder Michael Bracewell got the nod ahead of Rutherford to become New Zealand’s 283rd test cricketer and the fourth from his family, following uncles John and Brendon, and cousin Doug.
Meanwhile, new England test coach Brendon McCullum has already been touted as a miracle worker with his side 1-0 up. The former Black Caps captain honed his man-management skills, cajoling and coaxing his charges in their build-up.
New skipper Ben Stokes offered this endorsement.
“One of the great things about the last couple of weeks has been how much fun it has been. The energy Baz has brought has been a lift for everyone and it has been great having his enthusiasm around the group.”
Stokes confirmed the same original team from Lord’s, with spinner Jack Leach overcoming his concussion. He says his mindset remains the same.
“Throughout the first test, any fielding or bowling change I made, or plans we had, was always about taking wickets. It was never a case of ‘what can we do to retain the run rate?’ I think when you do that, bowlers tend to pitch fuller to bring bowled, lbw and nicks behind into play. That involves a simple change.
“I always said before starting this role I would more often go with my gut than my brain.
“There were a few occasions like when Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell were going at it in the first test [during their 195-run partnership] when I had to live to that — but the bowlers really bought into it,” said Stokes.