Kane Williamson was ruled out of the second test - and will likely miss further matches. Photo / Photosport
Kane Williamson was ruled out of the second test - and will likely miss further matches. Photo / Photosport
Niall Anderson evaluates the one positive from Kane Williamson's injury - and spares a thought (or three) for Neil Wagner.
If further proof was needed the Black Caps are in an envious, possibly unprecedented state in test cricket, consider the riches on offer when it comes to replacing Kane Williamson.
The Black Caps captain was ruled out of the second test against India with an ongoing elbow injury, and indications are he'll be unavailable for at least the next two tests on the Black Caps' schedule, against Bangladesh at the start of January.
In prior years, losing Williamson would be cause for panic, but although it's still a healthy blow to their chances of victory in India, the Black Caps now have a slew of capable players ready to step into the fold.
For this test in Mumbai, Williamson was replaced by Daryl Mitchell – a man with a test batting average of 58 who hit 73 on debut against England and 102 not out in his fourth test against Pakistan.
For the next test in Mount Maunganui, Williamson would likely be replaced - if he has recovered from his broken hand - by Devon Conway, a man with a test batting average of 63 who hit 200 on debut against England at Lord's.
And, with Conway likely opening if fit, shuffling down to Williamson's spot at No 3 would be Will Young – a man with a test batting average of 38 who hit 82 in his third test against England and 89 in his fourth test against India.
If Williamson indeed misses that test, it also provides one small positive, allowing Young to continue his promising test career.
With the Black Caps preferring stability in selection, if Williamson were fit Young could smite a double century in the second test and still miss out against Bangladesh, with coach Gary Stead highly unlikely to drop the lesser-performing Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls based on a few poor innings after a lengthy layoff, and Conway surely an automatic selection at the top of the order.
But with Williamson absent, Young would slot in at No 3, and allow him a chance to plunder further runs at test level ahead of what should be a longterm future place in the first-choice lineup.
This depth permeates through the lineup. Mitchell, Colin de Grandhomme, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner are probably all fighting for just one spot in the Bangladesh series – with Patel likely favoured for the first test on a Bay Oval surface that offers more to the spinners than most New Zealand wickets - while the pace quartet of Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner have Matt Henry and, if fitness levels allow, Lockie Ferguson on standby in case of injury or rotation.
Sport can be cruel
Neil Wagner has been left on the sidelines for the Indian test tour. Photo / Photosport
Spare a thought for Neil Wagner, who departed New Zealand on November 8, and will have spent a month in a bubble in India without having played a game.
Spare an extra thought for Wagner when considering he has a right to feel aggrieved, considering Will Somerville was selected over him for both tests. In Kanpur, Somerville's nightwatchman efforts possibly overshadowed his 40 wicketless overs, and it was a surprise to see him retained in Mumbai, where his eight further wicketless overs have leaked 46 runs.
And, finally, if you have any extra thoughts to give, perhaps offer another Wagner's way for the seven further days he will spend away from his family in MIQ on his return.
Yes, cricketers are well compensated for overseas tours, and Wagner is regularly lauded as "a great team man", but of the 36 players who the Black Caps have taken to their various tours and tournaments in the UAE and India, only Wagner and Matt Henry will have come home without having played a game.
One series Wagner is sure to get selected for is the upcoming series against Bangladesh, and if he has any lingering anger from not being used against India, then the poor Bangladeshi batsmen might well be in for a torrid time.
