WELLINGTON: Captain of New Zealand team Kane Williamson will not play the upcoming Twenty20 series against England as recurring hip injury flared up.
Paceman Tim Southee will lead the team in Williamson s absence with the batsman hoping to return for a two-Test series against the tourists in November.
Coach Gary Stead said that it was the same injury that affected Kane Williamson during the Test series against Bangladesh in March.
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Stead said, “It’s disappointing timing for Kane at the start of an exciting Kiwi summer, but we feel its the right decision with a busy season ahead.”
He added, “We are fortunate to have someone experienced like Tim who can comfortably step in and take the reins.”
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Stead said that fast bowler Lockie Ferguson would play the first three fixtures of the five-match series then be replaced by Trent Boult.
New Zealand squad: Tim Southee (capt), Trent Boult (games 4 and 5), Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson (games 1-3), Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner.
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The series will begin on 1st November in Christchurch. It will be the first meeting between the two sides since the dramatic World Cup final at Lord s in July.
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