England vs New Zealand: Kane Williamson checks Covid-19 constructive, dominated out of 2nd Test in Trent Bridge

New Zealand suffered an enormous blow on the eve of the 2nd Test towards England in Nottingham as their captain Kane Williamson was dominated out of the crunch encounter after testing constructive for Covid-19. Williamson started a 5-day isolation interval whereas the remainder of the staff have examined adverse, coach Gary Stead stated.

Kane Williamson will likely be changed by Tom Latham as captain of New Zealand for the 2nd Test. Experienced opener Hamish Rutherford, who’s in England taking part in in a home T20 match, has been added to the squad.

“It’s such a shame for Kane to be forced to withdraw on the eve of such an important match,” Stead stated.

“We’re all feeling for him at this time and know how disappointed he will be.”

UPDATE: Coach Gary Stead confirms captain Kane Williamson will miss the second Test towards England in Nottingham on Friday, after testing constructive for Covid-19 the evening earlier than the match. Hamish Rutherford will substitute him within the squad #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/9B0a9zt9JU

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 9, 2022

Williamson took the Rapid Antigen Test after experiencing minor signs on Thursday whereas the remainder of the squad returned adverse leads to the RAT checks.

Notably, earlier than the warm-up match in Brighton in May, three members of the New Zealand squad, together with Henry NIcholls, Blair Ticker and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen, had examined constructive for Covid-19 and accomplished a 5-day isolation interval.

The lack of Williamson will come as an enormous setback to New Zealand’s possibilities of bouncing again within the 3-match Test sequence. The guests, reigning world Test champions, misplaced the opening match at Lord’s earlier this week after Joe Root hit a sensational fourth-inning hundred to assist England chase down a goal of 277.

Williamson struggled to get going within the Test sequence opener, managing simply 17 runs throughout 2 innings. Notably, the skipper was returning to play Test cricket after an elbow damage subject that stored him out on the sidelines for lengthy.

Notably, New Zealand may also miss Colin de Grandhomme because the all-rounder has been dominated out of the sequence resulting from a foot damage he picked in the course of the first Test. Mitchell Bracewell had changed him within the squad.