Kane Williamson set to miss two-Test series against South Africa: Report

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, who has not played any professional cricket since late November due to an elbow injury, is reportedly set to miss the two-Test series against South Africa at home, which will commence on February 17 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.

Williamson sat out the second of the two Tests against India, and subsequently the series versus Bangladesh, with an elbow issue that’s been bothering him quite a while, but, at the start of the year, there was a glimmer of hope that the 31-year-old would be fit for the home series against South Africa.

However, according to a stuff.co.nz report, Williamson will sit out the two-Test series against the Proteas due to the New Zealand’s medical staff’s unwillingness to rush the right-hander back into action. Williamson, however, is said to be making “useful progress in his rehabilitation from an elbow injury.” 

Tom Latham, who led the Kiwis in the two-Test series against Bangladesh that ended 1-1, is expected to lead the hosts against the Dean Elgar-led South African side. Notably, the Kiwis will also be without Ross Taylor, who in January played his last ever Test match.

South Africa have their own share of injury and Covid concerns too, as the visitors will be without both Anrich Nortje and Keegan Petersen. While Nortje is still recovering from a hip injury, Petersen recently tested positive for Covid.