Kane Williamson ruled out: Kane Williamson will miss the third and final T20I match against India, which will be played on Tuesday in Napier, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced on Monday. Pacer Tim Southee will take over as captain in his place.

Williamson, however, would return in time to captain the team in the three-match ODI series that starts on Friday. “Blackcaps captain Kane Williamson will miss the third T20I in Napier on Tuesday to attend a pre-arranged medical appointment,” stated an official statement.

“Auckland Aces batsman Mark Chapman will join the T20 squad in Napier today,” it added.

Williamson’s longstanding elbow complaint, according to Williamson’s coach Gary Stead, was unrelated to the doctor’s visit but now Kane Williamson ruled out.

“Kane’s been trying to get this booked in for a while now. But unfortunately it hasn’t been able to fit into our schedule. The health and well-being of our players and staff is paramount, and we look forward to seeing him in Auckland,” he said.

“He’s a quality player who offers good versatility in the order,” Stead said.

Tim Southee to lead New Zealand in third T20I against India after Kane Williamson ruled out

Tim Southee, who picked a hat-trick in the second T20I, will captain New Zealand in the third T20I on Tuesday.

After the series opener in Wellington abandoned without toss owing to severe rain, India overcame New Zealand by 65 runs on Sunday in the second match.

At the Bay Oval, Suryakumar Yadav recorded an unbeaten 111 to help the Hardik Pandya-led team reach 191/6 in 20 overs after being given the opportunity to bat first. In the final over, Southee went 3-for-3 to keep Suryakumar off the strike.

Kiwis batters at no point did New Zealand appear to be in complete command of the pursuit. After Finn Allen holed out at third man for a duck in the first over, they kept losing wickets frequently.

Williamson made a half-century. But none of his other batters support him throughout the chase. And they were all out for 126 runs in 18.5 overs.

All-rounder, Deepak Hooda starred with the ball for India in the game. He bagged 4 wickets in his spell of 2.5 overs while giving just 10 runs. Apart from him, Mohammad Siraj and Yuzvendra Chahal grabbed 2-2 wickets. While Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Washington Sundar took 1-1 wicket each.

The third and final T20I of the series will take place on Tuesday, November 22 at the McLean Park in Napier.

IND Vs NZ Probable Playing 11

India 11

Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya (c), Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

New Zealand 11

Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Lockie Ferguson