Image courtesy of: NDTV

“Kane is about six weeks away from playing again at this stage”

New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson has been ruled out for the rest of the ODI series against Bangladesh and the national team’s upcoming limited overs tour of Sri Lanka as well after fracturing his left thumb in the first ODI in Mirpur. 

Williamson is set to return home today and wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi will be drafted in as his replacement. 

Williamson was supposed to captain New Zealand in their three ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals against Sri Lanka since regular skipper Brendon McCullum and veteran batsman Ross Taylor were being given some time off to train for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies and India. 

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have yet to announce who will replace Williamson as captain for the tour of Sri Lanka. 

The 23-year-old was struck on the thumb while fielding at point in the 35th over of Bangladesh’s innings in the first ODI. 

Williamson left the field immediately and an x-ray confirmed that his thumb had been dislocated and slightly fractured. 

“This kind of injury unfortunately means Kane cannot take part in the rest of the tour and he will return to New Zealand to begin his rehabilitation,” New Zealand physiotherapist Paul Close said. “Kane is about six weeks away from playing again at this stage.”