Cricket: Kane Williamson officially ruled out of Blackcaps Twenty20 series with Pakistan

Kane Williamson has been officially ruled out of the remaining three matches of the Twenty20 series against Pakistan after a scan confirmed he has a grade one hamstring strain.   

It comes after coach Gary Stead said the Blackcaps white ball captain would likely miss the rest of the series after he retired hurt during New Zealand's 21-run win at Hamilton's Seddon Park.   

Williamson's injury means Will Young will now stay on with the squad for the fourth and fifth matches of the series in Christchurch after joining the squad in Dunedin ahead of tomorrow's third match.   

"A timeline for Williamson's rehabilitation and return to cricket is still being established with a goal of being ready for selection in the test series against South Africa starting next month," the NZC release said.   

Blackcaps batting coach Luke Ronchi says he fully expects players such as Young will step up in Williamson's absence.   

"At the moment unfortunately it's been sort of something that's happening a bit, so we are sort of used to that.  

"We're quite lucky in the fact that the guys who have come in, obviously Will Young's been called in, that they're in good touch and good form domestically and when they've had the opportunity to come in for the international stuff."    

Williamson's next challenge will be attempting to get fit for two upcoming South African test matches, the first of which gets underway in just 19-days' time.   

"He'll hopefully be alright for those," Ronchi continued.  

Williamson's exit comes as veteran fast bowler Lockie Ferguson makes his international return.

The speedster has played a handful of games for the Auckland Aces during the ongoing Super Smash season, but tomorrow's third Twenty20 match is his first for the Blackcaps since suffering an Achilles injury at the recent ODI Cricket World Cup in India.   

"Just had that download period from the Achilles which was needed but certainly feeling good so far so touch wood it stays that way," says Ferguson, who is keen to not only lock up the series with a win, but also stake a claim for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in June.   

"Another challenge for us tomorrow to try and seal the series but also making steps towards a big World Cup this year."    

Join Newshub at 1pm Wednesday for live updates of the third Blackcaps v Pakistan T20. 

Kane Williamson has been officially ruled out of the remaining three matches of the Twenty20 series against Pakistan after a scan confirmed he has a grade one hamstring strain.   

It comes after coach Gary Stead said the Blackcaps white ball captain would likely miss the rest of the series after he retired hurt during New Zealand's 21-run win at Hamilton's Seddon Park.   

Williamson's injury means Will Young will now stay on with the squad for the fourth and fifth matches of the series in Christchurch after joining the squad in Dunedin ahead of tomorrow's third match.   

"A timeline for Williamson's rehabilitation and return to cricket is still being established with a goal of being ready for selection in the test series against South Africa starting next month," the NZC release said.   

Blackcaps batting coach Luke Ronchi says he fully expects players such as Young will step up in Williamson's absence.   

"At the moment unfortunately it's been sort of something that's happening a bit, so we are sort of used to that.  

"We're quite lucky in the fact that the guys who have come in, obviously Will Young's been called in, that they're in good touch and good form domestically and when they've had the opportunity to come in for the international stuff."    

Williamson's next challenge will be attempting to get fit for two upcoming South African test matches, the first of which gets underway in just 19-days' time.   

"He'll hopefully be alright for those," Ronchi continued.  

Williamson's exit comes as veteran fast bowler Lockie Ferguson makes his international return.

The speedster has played a handful of games for the Auckland Aces during the ongoing Super Smash season, but tomorrow's third Twenty20 match is his first for the Blackcaps since suffering an Achilles injury at the recent ODI Cricket World Cup in India.   

"Just had that download period from the Achilles which was needed but certainly feeling good so far so touch wood it stays that way," says Ferguson, who is keen to not only lock up the series with a win, but also stake a claim for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in June.   

"Another challenge for us tomorrow to try and seal the series but also making steps towards a big World Cup this year."    

Join Newshub at 1pm Wednesday for live updates of the third Blackcaps v Pakistan T20. 

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