ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Kane Williamson doubtful for NZ vs NED clash, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee likely to be fit

Kane Williamson missed New Zealand's ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 opener against England.

New Zealand will be facing the Netherlands in their second match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 tournament in Hyderabad on October 9, 2023. But they will do so without their regular captain Kane Williamson, who is still recovering from his ACL tear surgery.

Williamson played the two warm-up games against Pakistan and South Africa, giving a good account of himself, scoring 54 and 37 respectively, before retiring out. But he will continue missing from the starting lineup while he recovers from an ACL tear he sustained at the IPL earlier this year.    

He missed the opening game against England and is now targeting a comeback in New Zealand's third game against Bangladesh on October 13 in Chennai.

"Kane's also been progressing very well. I think the fielding is still the element for him that he's just got to get a little bit higher and get a little more trust in his body. But he is progressing really well and we are pretty confident he will be playing the third match for us. We have got another training to get through today so we will finalise the team once we have got through that training. At this stage with Kane, we are looking like the third game is when he will start the tournament,” Gary Stead told ICC.

New Zealand began their World Cup 2023 campaign by routing England in a dominating display of batting.

Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee are fit and available for the New Zealand vs. Netherlands tie

After recovering from their separate injuries, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee should be able to play for New Zealand against the Netherlands in their second World Cup game.

Ferguson missed the contest because of a back ailment, while Southee, who underwent surgery to treat a fractured right thumb before the tournament, was unable to make it back in time.

"Lockie Ferguson got through training really well so providing he is scrubbed up okay this morning, he will be available for this next game. Tim Southee also got through the training really well. It was great to see him back at the bowling crease and also doing a little bit of fielding as well.

He will just get a final x-ray done this morning and we will make a call after that but it is all looking good for selection from now on and into the rest of the tournament,” Stead added.