New Zealand's ODI captain Kane Williamson is all but out of ODI World Cup which will be played later this year in India. However, Williamson could still travel with the team to India and play a different role in the marquee event.
Head coach Gary Stead feels that Williamson would "absolutely" fit into a mentor-type role as BlackCaps hope to win the ODI World Cup for the first time.
Williamson who got injured on the boundary while fielding during Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 opener between defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has underwent successful surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee.
Stead revealed that Williamson is still in early stages of his rehabilitation programme. "It's still far too early to know. He's had the operation and, to date, what we know, that's been successful. So he is in the very, very early stages of his rehab programme," Stead told reporters ahead of the five-ODI series against Pakistan which will begin on April 27 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
"It's obviously pretty non-weight-bearing at this stage, and he's in a brace. It's really just meeting milestones as we go."
However, Stead has not ruled out Williamson completely from the ODI World Cup.
"Our line around Kane, at the moment, is still it's unlikely that he will be available, but we certainly don't want to rule out a person of his class and calibre, and the things he brings to this team, too early in case there is that chance still," the 51-year-old added.
After the five-match T20I series ended in a 2-2 draw, Tom Latham will be leading New Zealand in the ODI series.
In Williamson's absence, it will be interesting who will bat at no.3 for New Zealand in ODIs. Henry Nicholls may get a promotion up the order.
Earlier this month, former New Zealand cricket Ian Smith suggested that out-of-favour Martin Guptill should return to the ODI squad.
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