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Kane Williamson: (Image Source: Twitter)
New Zealand Cricket Team dealt with a big blow on the eve of the second Test against England as their skipper Kane Williamson has tested positive for the Covid-19. Williamson experienced minor symptoms and he took the Rapid Antigen Test, thereafter.
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He will now undergo a five-day isolation period before joining the squad again. Fortunately, all the other members of the team have tested negative for the virus. Coach Garry Stead gave the update on Williamson’s health while expressing disappointment on the development.
"It's such a shame for Kane to be forced to withdraw on the eve of such an important match," Stead said.
"We're all feeling for him at this time and know how disappointed he will be."
Notably, Hamish Rutherford has been added to the squad. The New Zealand cricketer is already in England, playing in a domestic T20 tournament. Kane Williamson won’t be playing the second Test and Tom Latham will lead the side in his absence. Kane Williamson’s absence should come as a big setback for the team as New Zealand are already 1-0 behind in the series.
Kane Williamson, though, has been enduring a rough patch, lately. In the last game, he could only manage to score 2 and 15 runs in his two innings. If reports are to be believed, Michael Bracewell could be added to the middle-order in place of Williamson for the 2nd Test.
Talking about the first game, New Zealand batted first and were bowled out for just 132 runs, thanks to sensational spells from James Anderson and Matty Potts. New Zealand, too, bowled exceedingly well and bundled England out for 141 runs in the second innings.
Daryl Mitchell made headlines on the third day as he smashed 108 runs in 203 balls, while Tom Blundell also played a sensational knock of 96 runs in 198 balls. Thanks to those contributions, New Zealand set England a 277-run target to win the game. England had lost half of their side for 159 runs in pursuit of the total.
However, an unbeaten century from Joe Root (115 off 170) and valuable contributions from Ben Stokes (54) and Ben Foakes (32) meant England won the game by 5 wickets.