New Zealand captain Kane Williamson to miss opening World Cup match against England. Here's WHY?

Hyderabad: New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will miss the opening game of the ICC Cricket World Cup against England as he continues to progress his knee rehabilitation.

Williamson will play as a batsman-only in today's first warm-up match against Pakistan in Hyderabad, with the aim of batting and fielding in Monday's second and final warm-up match against South Africa in Thiruvananthapuram.

Coach Gary Stead said the priority was ensuring Williamson had time to progress his return to match fitness.

"Right from the start we’ve taken a long-term view on Kane’s return to play," Stead told New Zealand Cricket.

"His recovery is tracking well and it’s now a matter of making sure he can cope with the rigours and intensity of international cricket. We’ll continue to take a day by day approach to Kane’s rehabilitation and certainly won’t be putting any pressure on him to return before he is ready," he said.

Tom Latham will Captain the side in today’s first warm-up match against Pakistan here. (UNI)