Kane Williamson ruled out of the first two ODIs against India with shoulder injury

India’s tour of New Zealand was expected to be a blockbuster affair with two of the best teams locking horns. But the injury to key players from both the teams is taking the sheen off the contest. While India have been dealt with a huge blow with Rohit Sharma getting ruled out of ODI and Test series, Kane Williamson now will not be part of the BlackCaps for the first two ODIs of the three-match series.

Tom Latham will lead New Zealand now even as Williamson is expected to return for the final game to be played on February 11. The Kiwi skipper didn’t play the fourth and fifth T20I as well after hurting his shoulder in the third match of the series. The X-rays of his shoulder revealed nothing serious but the management is being cautious with the all-important Test series to commence on February 21.

“Kane has had an X-ray scan which cleared him of anything serious, but it’s best for his recovery that he avoids aggravating the joint for the next few days. He will continue his fitness training sessions throughout the week and will start batting again on Friday with the prospect of being available for game three next Tuesday,” New Zealand’s team physio Vijay Vallabh was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Mark Chapman called up as Kane Williamson’s replacement

Meanwhile, the selectors have called up Mark Chapman to New Zealand‘s ODI squad as Kane Williamson’s replacement. Chapman was part of the New Zealand A squad for the One-Day series against India A. He scored a century in the third and final game of the series and followed it up with another three-figure score in the first four-day game against the same team.

Chapman is also making a comeback to the ODI set up having last played almost two years ago. “It’s great to welcome Mark back into the one-day unit off the back of consecutive centuries for New Zealand A against a strong India A side. Mark’s a versatile player who can cover multiple batting positions and his fielding is a real upshot to have in the squad,” selector Gavin Larsen said.