Kane Williamson leaves New Zealand team, in doubt for second Test versus West Indies in Wellington

Kane Williamson, the New Zealand cricket skipper, has left the team a day out from their second Test against West Indies to attend a medical appointment with his pregnant wife. Kane Williamson told reporters last week his wife Sarah was due to give birth to their first child "in mid-to-late December" and coach Gary Stead said after the innings and 134-run first Test victory the team supported him taking paternity leave. The captain returned to his hometown of Tauranga to attend the appointment but was expected back for the Test match that is expected to start on Friday at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. New Zealand are currently leading the two-match series 1-0 after their big win in Seddon Park thanks to a brilliant 251 from Kane Williamson, his highest individual score in Tests.

“At the moment, we need a little bit more time for Kane to work out whether he comes back or not. We still expect him back ... but becoming a dad for the first time is pretty important so we just need a bit more time,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead remarked. Stead also stated that Kane Williamson will all likely return on Thursday night rather than Friday early morning, the date of the second Test.

Stead added that wicketkeeper BJ Watling would return to the side and Tom Blundell would move back to open the innings with Tom Latham after he dropped down the order and took the gloves in Hamilton. Will Young would play at number three if Williamson, who made his highest test score of 251 in the first test, does not return. In case Williamson, does not play, Tom Latham will captain the side in Wellington. "Part of the things we do well is adapt well to different situations in front of us, not just in Test matches. There are a lot of balls in the air and a lot is happening ... but I think that we will be a lot clearer this afternoon."

West Indies aim to break jinx

West Indies suffered their fifth consecutive loss in New Zealand and it has prolonged their winless record in Tests in New Zealand for the 25^th year. West Indies last won a series in New Zealand in 1995 and their last win ironically came at the Basin Reserve in Wellington when they won by an innings and 322 runs.

In the previous Test, West Indies suffered a calamitous collapse where they lost 16 wickets in the day. Jason Holder’s team got some respectability when Alzarri Joseph and Jermaine Blackwood stitched a great stand, with Blackwood scoring his second Test century.