Lengthy stint on sideline for Williamson?

Black Caps captain Kane Williamson was ruled out of the second test against India starting last night, and possibly much of the home international summer.

Williamson – who has been battling a persistent elbow injury over the past year which bothered him during the Twenty20 World Cup last month – was left out of the New Zealand XI for the second test in Mumbai which had a delayed start.

‘‘His left elbow tendon flared up again through the last test,’’ New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said.

‘‘He was obviously in considerable discomfort throughout the test and since then, subsequently, it hasn’t got better at all.

‘‘It looks like it could be for a sustained period.’’

While he played all of New Zealand’s matches as they got to the T20 World Cup final before losing to Australia – a game in which the captain starred with the bat – Williamson was unable to train in between games.

He played the first test of the twotest series in Kanpur.

‘‘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,’’ Stead said.

‘‘He will likely require a sustained period of rest followed by

rehabilitation, strengthening and gradual batting loading.’’

Tom Latham replaced Williamson as New Zealand’s captain for the second test in Mumbai, which did not start on time time due to a wet outfield after two days of heavy rain in the Indian city, while Daryl Mitchell replaced Williamson in the team.

Play began at 7.30pm (NZ time), with 78 overs available to be bowled.

Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja have been ruled out of the Indian side.

India have usual test captain Virat Kohli back in the team after he was rested for the first test and he won the toss and chose to bat, with Mohammed Siraj and Jayant Yadav the replacements for Sharma and Jadeja.

India were 80-3, having been 80-0 at one point. Ajaz Patel took all three wickets for New Zealand, including a controversial fourth-ball duck for Indian captain and superstar Virat Kohli.