Black Caps: Coach Rob Walter expects Kane Williamson to play in England test series
Black Caps coach Rob Walter is confident star batter Kane Williamson will suit up for June’s three-test series against England.
Williamson’s inclusion would be a huge boost for New Zealand, as the 35-year-old is the Black Caps’ most successful test batter, while games will be played at prestigious venues including Lord’s, The Oval and Trent Bridge.
Williamson last played for the Black Caps in their 323-run win over the West Indies in Mount Maunganui in December, and he’s currently working with the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League.
Last year, the 35-year-old declined a full central contract, opting for a casual arrangement, which allows him to participate in overseas franchise leagues. However, he remains committed to playing for the Black Caps across ODIs and tests when available, having also retired from international T20 cricket.
Speaking to Newstalk ZB’s Jason Pine on Weekend Sport, Walter said
“As we stand, that’s definitely the plan,” Walter said.
“Kane has obviously been about taking things series by series. We stay in touch and in conversation around how he’s going.
“For now, our focus is on those tests against England and we’re going to deal with those first.”
The series against England is the start of a huge 12 months of test cricket for the Black Caps which includes a home series against India in November, then a four-test series in Australia across December and January, before a return to Aotearoa to face Sri Lanka in February.
“There’s obviously a period of time before the Indian tests and we’ll just reassess as we go,” Walter said.
“He loves the test format and he loves Black Caps cricket. So I know that there’s a hunger to be involved. It’s just to what extent that remains to be seen.”
Playing those tests is something Williamson will likely want to be involved in, as he closes in on a huge milestone in the five-day format.
He is currently fourth on the all-time list for New Zealand for tests with 108, behind Ross Taylor (112), Daniel Vettori and Stephen Fleming (111).
He’s also 539 runs shy of the 10,000 test runs mark.
While they are significant milestones, Walter knows numbers are not everything for Williamson.
“He’s got there by sort of selflessly dedicating himself to the team and to the team’s performance,” Walter said.
“If it started to become about that, it would really feel out of place for him and that he’d been now focusing on a personal milestone, which has never been Kane’s thing really.
“He is where he is as a byproduct of his excellence really and the hard work and the dedication that he’s put into one his craft, but also to the team doing well.
“I know every New Zealand cricket lover would love him to get there and there’s probably no one more deserving, but I don’t think it’s a motivating factor for him.”
The Black Caps will play three ODIs and three T20 matches against Bangladesh in April and May, before playing a test against Ireland ahead of the England series.