Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Blackcaps back Young to shine in Williamson's absence in opening Test against India
SENZ • October 16th, 2024 12:25 pm
For as brutal a blow as Kane Williamson's absence is for the Blackcaps in their opening Test against India, captain Tom Latham says it provides a golden chance for replacement Will Young to make a statement.
With Williamson out for at least the first test due to injury, Latham has confirmed Young will bat at No.3 as his replacement, which begins Wednesday afternoon (NZ time), favoured ahead of Auckland's Mark Chapman.
The 31-year-old Central Stag hasn't played red-ball cricket for New Zealand since March, when he opened the batting in the second Test against Australia in Christchurch.
But back at his preferred position at first-drop, Latham is confident Young will take the opportunity with both hands.
Young has prior experience negotiating the notoriously unforgiving pitches in India, particularly in Kanpur, where the opening match of the series begins on Wednesday.
In the first Test against India back in 2021, Young compiled 89 in the opening innings in what was just the fourth of his now 16-Test career.
"He's been in our team and in our squad for a long period and he's batted all over the order," Latham said.
"I guess now it's his opportunity to put his hand up and he's performed well in the past, and here in Kanpur also.
"Obviously disappointing when you miss a senior guy like Kane but it gives opportunities for other guys too to put their hand up. Fingers crossed he'll be ready as soon as possible."
Unseasonable weather in Kanpur has meant the pitch has been kept under covers for the past few days, with players forced to train indoors.
While new skipper Latham hasn't been able to make his own assessment of conditions at ground level just yet, he concedes the heat and expected cloud coverage could mean they retain another seamer in their bowling attack.
"I certainly wasn't expecting the weather that we've had over the last couple of days since arriving," he admitted. "Looking at the forecast, it looks a bit similar to what we've had.
"Obviously the wicket being under covers for longer duration and not necessarily being as hot as what we would usually expect here, that potentially brings the fast bowlers into play.
"We've had a little bit of a look at the previous game that was played here maybe a month ago and I think the seamers took a lot of wickets.
"It's hard to say because I haven't really had a look at the wicket in terms of a team that we play, but we will cover both bases depending when we see the pitch."
Catch ball-by-ball coverage of the Blackcaps' Test tour of India via the SENZ app or discover your local SENZ frequency here.
