Top Focus/ 'Unluckiest player ever': Kane Williamson's 'cursed' World Cup 2023 could end due to weird injury

The New Zealand cricket team registered yet another thumping victory in the ODI World Cup 2023 and routed Bangladesh by eight wickets in its third match of the tournament. The Kiwis jumped to the top of the table with three wins out of three games and have maintained a healthy net run rate of +1.604. The Blackcaps are one of the prime contenders to win the CWC 2023 and also played in the finals of the previous two editions of the major ICC event. 

3 things you need to know

• Kiwi pacer Lockie Ferguson was adjudged the Player of the Match for his three-wicket haul against Bangladesh 
• New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson made a grand comeback to international cricket after six months and scored a half-century 
• New Zealand are yet to win an ODI World Cup 

Major setback for New Zealand as Kane Williamson out for a number of CWC matches 

It looks like New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and injuries have a strong connection between them. It was after almost six months when Williamson had recovered from a serious ACL injury and returned to the cricket field. However, the veteran Kiwi batter has once again injured himself in one of the most bizarre manners. Williamson was hit by a major blow during the 38th over of New Zealand's chase, Williamson was hit on his thumb while he was taking a quick run. Initially, Williamson was bandaged by the Kiwi physio, though, in the very next over he went back to the dressing and was retired hurt for a score of 78 runs. Later, the Kiwi captain was taken for x-rays which indicated that he has an ‘undisplaced fracture’ in his left thumb. Williamson is ruled out for the rest matches of the ODI World Cup but he will travel with the team. Tom Blundell had also been added to the squad as his cover. 

(Kane Williamson suffers bizarre injury during the NZ vs BAN CWC 2023 match / Image: Disney+Hotstar)

Will New Zealand be able to lift the maiden ODI World Cup? 

New Zealand have been one of the consistent teams in international cricket for the last few years. The Kiwis played the finals of the 2015 and 2019 ODI World Cup, whereas, they also qualified for the T20 World Cup 2021 finals. However, the Kiwi team was never able to cross the last hurdle and is yet to win an ICC title. The Blackcaps have shown fearless cricket till now in the ODI World Cup and have the clear possibility to lift the ODI World Cup trophy.