BIRMINGHAM: New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the second and final Test against England at Edgbaston with a left elbow problem, team management announced on Wednesday.

However, the Black Caps are confident he will be fit to lead the team in the inaugural World Test Championship final against India starting on June 18 in Southampton.

Williamson, who captained New Zealand in last week’s drawn first Test against England at Lord’s, has been managing the injury since first missing matches in March.

The world’s top-ranked Test batsman was ruled out of the second Test on Wed­nesday, a day before the match is due to start at Birmingham’s Edgbaston ground.

“It’s not an easy decision for Kane to have to miss a Test, but we think it’s the right one,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead 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.”

Stead added: “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.”

Tom Latham will captain the side in Williamson’s absence, with Will Young, who has made two first-class hundreds for English county side Durham this season, coming into the side at number three.

“Someone of his [Williamson’s] leadership, his calibre as a player, it’s obviously disappointing that he’s been ruled out to nurse his elbow injury,” Latham told reporters.

“He’s fantastic as a captain. I think it’s well-documented how his personality, his calm nature out in the middle, has been vital to this group. He’s very relaxed.

“He doesn’t get too high, and doesn’t get too low, which has been great for this side over recent years... He’ll certainly be missed,” added Latham, looking to lead New Zealand to their first series win in England since 1999.

England captain Joe Root said Williamson’s absence represented a “huge loss” for New Zealand.

“He’s a big gun, number one in the world,” said Root. “He’s one of those players you spend a lot of time thinking about how you’re going to keep him quiet and get rid of him early.

“It will be a huge loss for them but we’re also very respectful that New Zealand have a strong squad and are involved in the World Test Championship final because they have strength in depth.

“We saw last week a debutant [Devon Conway] coming in and getting a double hundred.”

New Zealand will also be without spinner Mitchell Santner, who was previously ruled out with a cut finger. But experienced left-arm quick Trent Boult is set to come back into the XI after missing the Lord’s match, having opted to spend time with his family following the suspension of the Indian Premier League.

“It’s great to have someone of his calibre come back in,” said Latham of Boult. “The way he can swing the ball, his leadership as well. He’s been to this part of the world before and he knows how to perform [in England].”

Stead added: “Trent’s back and available to be selected and it’s likely we’ll play him in this game. Things did change when he got here or from the information we had initially. It’s good news for us.

“The best thing for Trent is to get out there, get the Dukes ball in his hand and show us what he’s capable of.”

Stead further said that one of Tim Southee, Neil Wagner or Kyle Jamieson would make way for the returning Boult, with an eye on the WTC final.

“We want to make sure the key bowlers who we think will take part in that game are fresh, raring to go and ready for that first ball of the match versus India,” Stead said.

England will forced to make at least one change after seamer Ollie Robinson, who excelled with seven wickets on his Test debut at Lord’s, was suspended by the ECB over the historic tweets he had posted as a youngster.

The Edgbaston Test will also welcome crowds of 18,000 a day expected during the series decider.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2021