2nd Test: Kane Williamson ruled out due to elbow injury; Tom Latham to lead

Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the second Test between India and New Zealand that is to be played in Mumbai. Currently, the toss has been delayed due to a wet outfield. Williamson has been battling a left elbow injury. In his absence, Tom Latham will be leading the side.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead confirmed that the injury flared up during the first Test in Kanpur. He added that since the injury persisted, the call was made.

“It’s been a really tough time for Kane having to deal with such a persistent injury,” Stead said.

“While we’ve been able to manage the injury through the year and the T20 World Cup, the shift to Test cricket and the increased batting loading has re-aggravated his elbow.

“Ultimately the injury is still not right and while he got through the Kanpur Test, it was clear playing in the second Test wasn’t an option.

“We all know how much he loves playing and leading this team, particularly in Test cricket, so it’s a very difficult decision to sit out.

“It’s been a challenging year for Kane trying to manage his elbow and it’s important we now formulate a good plan with him to ensure the injury does not continue to plague him.

“He will likely require a sustained period of rest followed by rehabilitation, strengthening and gradual batting loading.”

Williamson has been dealing with the tendon injury since it first emerged in the New Zealand home summer.

Pitch report

“There’s a bit of moisture usually, but this might hold because it’s been under the covers. This will certainly spin, because I can see cracks and these will open up with the sun out. Because of the moisture on Day 1, there will be seam, so if you bat first you have to bat well, but you don’t want to bat last. This might be a good toss to lose,” Ajit Agarkar and Deep Dasgupta said in their pitch report.