Hyderabad, India: New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will miss Monday's World Cup clash against the Netherlands but is expected to return to the team later in the week, said coach Gary Stead on Sunday.
Williamson is still recovering after six months out with a knee injury although he did feature in the World Cup warm-up series last week.
He sat out New Zealand's nine-wicket rout of champions England in the tournament opener on Thursday and will watch from the sidelines again in Hyderabad on Monday.
However, Stead said Williamson is expected to play in the third game of the tournament against Bangladesh in Chennai on Friday.
"He is progressing really well but his fielding needs to be higher and needs trust in his body," said Stead.
"We're confident he will be ready for the third game to start his tournament."
Williamson is the current squad's top scorer in ODIs with more than 6,500 runs and 13 centuries.
Stead said veteran fast bowler Tim Southee, who also missed the victory over England, is available for selection after recovering from a dislocated thumb.
Meanwhile, New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips on Sunday stressed that the Black Caps must keep their feet on the ground after the convincing win over England.
Runners-up in the last two World Cups, New Zealand upstaged England in Ahmedabad, riding on brilliant centuries from Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra.
— AFP
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