Williamson misses test and much more

The Black Caps were without captain Kane Williamson for the second test against India and possibly much of the home international summer through injury.

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 XI for the second test in Mumbai which had a delayed start last night.

``His left elbow tendon flared up again through the last test,’’ 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 two-test 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 NZ’s captain for the second test in Mumbai, which was unable to start on time at 5pm NZ time due to a wet outfield after two days of heavy rain in the Indian city, while Daryl Mitchell replaced Williamson in the team.

He was the only change and was also likely to fill Williamson’s No3 spot in the batting lineup although at first-class level he usually plays in the middle order.

At the T20 World Cup recently he demonstrated his versaility being elevated to open the batting.

The first day’s play was then began with 78 overs available to be bowled, with a 1am finish planned, light allowing. Again New Zealand lost the toss with India opting to bat leaving the Black Caps to bat fourth on a wearing wicket.

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

The trio all suffered injuries in the first test. 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.