Kane Williamson talks rehab, support and staying in the present ahead of return from injury

Kane Williamson, New Zealand's wrecker-in-chief, is all set to make his return to international cricket, as the star batter is certain to play the game against Bangladesh on Friday, October 13 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Notably, Williamson will also return to lead the Black Caps, as stand-in skipper Tom Latham will assume his responsibilities as wicketkeeper and vice-captain once again.

The Tauranga-born made a dramatic comeback just-in-time, as he recovered from his ACL injury, which he sustained during the game against Chennai Super Kings in the first match of the Indian Premier League 2023. Speaking on his comeback, the Kiwis skipper said that he wasn't really sure if he would be able to play the ODI World Cup 2023.

“Yeah, definitely. Initially, it [my comeback] was not really considered. And to be honest, it was probably a good thing just to get my head stuck into rehab and each day and not sort of rush it. That was really my focus, and I was fortunate as well I had a really, really good team around me back home,” Williamson was saying as quoted by ESPNcricinfo on Thursday.

The 33-year-old also spoke about how his road to recovery was slow. He also expressed himself on the process of rehab that how each passing week was indispensable in him finding a spot at what could be his last edition of the quadrennial event.

“There were lots of quite clear steps along the way that you were trying to tick off, different milestones in terms of returning to the next phases and those sorts of things. So quite different, a lot of data around it, mainly from other sports that was relied on,” he said further.

New Zealand look to maintain winning streak against Bangladesh

Speaking of New Zealand's campaign in the World Cup, they defeated England comfortably in the curtain raiser in Ahmedabad courtesy of centuries from Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. Then in Hyderabad, the Kiwis won against the Netherlands, as they fell short by 99 runs in the chase. Courtesy of these wins, they are on top of the table currently, and will be eyeing to win their third game in a row when they square off against Bangladesh in Chepauk.