In the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup 2023, New Zealand is set to face South Africa in Match 32, taking place at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on November 1. The return of Kane Williamson, the Black Caps’ skipper, seems likely after his recovery from a thumb fracture incurred during a match against Bangladesh.

According to a report from NewSports Hub, Williamson’s progress has been promising, and he has been actively practicing, making his return for the upcoming clash a real possibility. New Zealand is coming off the back of two consecutive losses against India and Australia.

New Zealand Coach Gary Stead mentioned, “It was just low-level intensity, but he will train today [Monday] and the next day, with a view to potentially being available for this game. That will depend on how he comes through in the next couple of days.”

However, there is another injury concern in the New Zealand camp, as pacer Lockie Ferguson suffered a right Achilles injury during the match against Australia at the HPCA cricket stadium on Saturday. Additionally, Mark Chapman picked up a calf injury during practice. Stead confirmed that both players would be unavailable for the upcoming clash.

Stead explained, “[Ferguson] has woken up feeling a little bit better than certainly what he has, but he will be getting a scan tomorrow morning here in Pune.” He further expressed hope that Ferguson’s recovery might take about a week, and he is not far from being selectable again.

New Zealand has a strong track record in ODI World Cups, reaching the semi-finals in 2011 and finishing as runners-up in the 2015 and 2019 editions. Additionally, they clinched the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021, were runners-up in the 2021 T20 World Cup, and reached the semi-finals in the next year’s tournament.