ENG vs NZ : Elbow niggle rules Williamson out of second Test; Tom Latham to lead

On expected lines, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is ruled out of the second Test against England after suffering an elbow injury. Tom Latham is set to lead the side in the regular skipper’s absence, while Will Young has been named a replacement.

New Zealand is set to face England at Edgbaston for the final Test of the series, before they take on India at Southampton from June 18 in the World Test Championship final. Going into the second Test, the series is on the line as the two teams drew the first game at Lord’s.

Speaking about Williamson’s exit, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead admitted that it is a tough call to keep him out but is the correct decision keeping in mind the WTC final.

“It’s not an easy decision for Kane to have to miss a Test, but we think it’s the right one,” he said. “He’s had an injection in his elbow to relieve the irritation he’s been experiencing when he bats and a period of rest and rehabilitation will help maximise his recovery.”

“The decision has been made very much with the ICC World Test Championship Final at Southampton in mind and we are confident he will be ready for that match starting on June 18,” he added.

Apart from Williamson, the visitors are also set to miss the services of spinner Mitchell Santner, who has injured his left index finger, leaving his team with only one spin option in Ajaz Patel.

Trent Boult in contention for Edgbaston Test

Meanwhile, amidst the exit of two important players from the team, New Zealand has one good bit of news as Trent Boult is highly likely to feature in the playing XI after he returned to practice as the UK government relaxed its quarantine norm.

“There’s a chance. There are a few things that have changed, the British Government has relaxed their quarantine stipulations, so Trent (Boult) is out of isolation three or four days earlier than we expected,” Stead had said earlier.

“We still haven’t made a firm call on that, and we will give it the next 48 hours before we work out what we do with Trent in that second Test,” added Stead. “Trent is more keen than he was a week ago and that’s because he’s over here now, he’s part of the environment. Probably right now it’s a bit early to make that call, he’s only been here 48 hours and probably still suffering a little bit of jet lag,” he added.