New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the second and final Test against England at Edgbaston with a left elbow problem. However, the Blackcaps are confident he will be fit to lead the team in the inaugural World Test Championship final against India starting on June 18. Williamson, who captained New Zealand in last week's drawn first Test against England at Lord's, has been managing the injury since first missing matches in March. The world's top-ranked Test batsman withdrew from the second Test on Wednesday, a day before the match is due to start at Birmingham's Edgbaston ground. Stead added: "The decision has been made very much with the ICC World Test Championship final at Southampton in mind and we are confident he will be ready for that match starting on June 18."

Source: News 24 June 09, 2021 12:22 UTC