Taylor leads New Zealand in the second Test as Kane Williamson is unwell

Henry Nicholls will strengthen the batting order in Kane Williamson's absence

By: Sahil Magoo |
October 10, 2016 1:18 am

Tags: Gautam Gambhir, Kane Williamson,

A massive blow for the New Zealand team before the start of the second Test match. The visitors will take the field sans their captain Kane Williamson. At the time of the toss, Ross Taylor locked horns with skipper Virat Kohli as Kane Williamson is still unfit.

#TeamIndia has won the toss and elected to bat first in Kolkata @Paytm Test Cricket #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/SLMbSEMOO2

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 30, 2016

Williamson was suffering from viral and hasn’t recuperated. The Kiwis have been missing few key players on this tour to India. New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham is still struggling with his rib injury. The 26-year-old missed the first Test at Kanpur and is not available for the second Test as well. Seamer Tim Southee was also ruled out of the Test series due to an ankle injury.

Off-spinner Mark Craig, who took two wickets in the first Test, has also been ruled out for the remainder of the series due to a side strain. Craig has been replaced by Jeetan Patel who is making a comeback in the national team after three years.

Henry Nicholls, who will be playing his seventh international Test match, will be replacing Kane Williamson.

.@BLACKCAPS Playing XI for Kolkata @Paytm Test Cricket #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/7qrxCKPvZV

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 30, 2016

Meanwhile, hopes of Gautam Gambhir making a comeback in the playing XI have been quashed. Shikhar Dhawan will be replacing injured opener KL Rahul.

#TeamIndia Playing XI for Kolkata @Paytm Test Cricket #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/Jb5gaZ1gmW

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 30, 2016