The New Zealand skipper will be resting for the three-match T20I series against India, starting Wednesday (November 17), in hope to be fresh and ready for the two-match Test series that follows.
Speculations were rife that Williamson may skip the T20Is considering the super quick turnaround from the end of the T20 World Cup and his longstanding elbow issue, plus the need to be fit for two difficult Test matches on Indian shores.
NZC confirmed the news on Tuesday that the 31-year-old will be resting the T20Is and joining a group of Test specialists that have begun training separately for the Tests in Kanpur and Mumbai.
“The decision was made for Williamson to join the Test specialist group already training in Jaipur as they focus on red-ball preparation,”
NZC informed via their statement.
After a slow start to the T20 World Cup, Williamson looked at his vintage best in the final on Sunday (November 14) against Australia. The skipper played a terrific knock of 85 off 48 balls in Dubai. Sadly for him, even his great innings wasn’t good enough to secure New Zealand’s first major ICC world trophy.
Having managed an elbow issue since the start of the year, Williamson has taken the opportunity to rest up his body from T20Is and focus on preparations for the Tests where the tourists will be desperate for him to keep the likes of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel at bay.
Williamson has been on three previous Test tours to India and averages 35.46 over 13 innings. The modern-day giant’s record is spoiled by an insipid series back in 2016 when Ashwin’s mastery proved too good for even a class player like him.
In Williamson’s absence, experienced pacer Tim Southee will be captaining the T20I side. The series begins on Wednesday (November 17) in Jaipur, followed by games in Ranchi (November 19) and Kolkata (November 21).
NZC further informed that pacer Lockie Ferguson has progressed well in his recovery from a calf tear which ruled him out of the T20 World Cup, and is likely to take part in the India T20Is.
