Black Caps captain ruled out of 2nd England Test

By Andrew Alderson

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will miss the second cricket test against England in Nottingham starting tonight, after testing positive for Covid-19.

He undertook a rapid antigen test after experiencing minor symptoms during the day and will now begin five days of isolation.

The rest of the touring party have returned negative RATs and will continue following the tour health protocols of symptom reporting and subsequent testing if required.

Hamish Rutherford will join the squad as Williamson's replacement.

"It's such a shame for Kane to be forced to withdraw on the eve of such an important match," coach Gary Stead said.

"We're all feeling for him at this time and know how disappointed he will be.

"Rutherford was with the test squad earlier in the tour and has been playing for Leicestershire in the T20 Blast."

The news continues a run of misfortune for Williamson. He missed the second test against India with a recurring elbow injury, which extended to the entire home summer.

Rutherford now comes into the reckoning for a first test appearance in the format since meeting Sri Lanka in Wellington during January 2015.

Alternatively, Michael Bracewell could be added to the middle order of the XI as the country's 283rd test player.

Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell could fill numbers three, four and five respectively. Tom Latham will captain the side in Williamson's absence.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission