World Cup: New Zealand head coach provides injury update on Williamson

The Black Caps take on the in-form South African team in a crucial encounter on November 1 in Pune and Stead confirmed that Williamson has started batting again in the nets on a low-level intensity.

“Kane Williamson hit cricket balls for the first time yesterday, which is encouraging. [It was] low-level intensity but he will train tomorrow and the next day with a view to potentially being available for this game,” Stead said.

However, when asked about the possibility of the 33-year-old playing against the Proteas, Stead said that the next two days will decide if he’s fit enough to play or not.

“That will depend on just how he comes through the nets in the next couple of days,” he added.

It must be noted that Kane Williamson scored an unbeaten 78-run knock against Bangladesh before being retired hurt as in the 39th over, as the ball hit his thumb while he was crossing the wicket in the previous over.