Kane Williamson to miss ODI series against South Africa

Kane Williamson of New Zealand in action against India at Seddon Park

New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson is ruled out of the next two one-day international matches against South Africa because of a wrist injury. Williamson had opted out of the first six-wicket ODI loss at Mount Maunganui on Tuesday against the Proteas.

Out of the ODI series

Blackcaps coach Mike Hesson told Stuff.co.nz on Wednesday that the 24-year-old had picked up a ligament tear in his left wrist while representing Northern Knights in the recent Champions League T20 tournament in India.

Speaking about Williamson’s injury, Hesson said: "It's been injected (with cortisone) and it's recovered. It just needs some rehabilitation. He batted the last couple of days without a huge amount of discomfort, but it's not something we want to rush back."

Williamson also cleared speculation that the injury happened due to a change in his bowling action after a ban was imposed on him for an illegal action. The right-arm off-break bowler has made alterations in his bowling style to get an approval from the ICC.

New Zealand playing unchanged team

Williamson joins other leading New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor in the injury list. Kiwi fast bowler Tim Southee is scheduled to play on Friday after missing the opening match with a shoulder injury.

The 39-year-old coach told the media that the Kiwis will be playing with an unchanged batting line up in the second ODI on Friday.

"We saw some really good signs from Tom and Dean and a little bit from Jimmy but we need to see more. With the bat we weren't as sharp as we needed to be. Some of our execution was certainly off and if you do that in an international you get exposed," he said.

In the first ODI, New Zealand suffered a top-order collapse with their new batting line-up not clicking but managed a total of 230 with a fighting knock of 99 by Luke Ronchi before South Africa chased it down comfortably. The hosts will again open with Jimmy Neesham and play Tom Latham at No.5.