Sports
Batting great Williamson cuts back on New Zealand commitments
Batting great Kane Williamson says a changed “life situation” will reduce his availability for New Zealand as he prepares for his first international match since March.
Former captain Williamson will take part in the three-match ODI series against England starting in Mount Maunganui on Sunday having been unavailable for New Zealand in any format since they lost the final of the Champions Trophy against India in March.
In that period the 35-year-old, arguably his country’s finest batsman, missed a Test series in Zimbabwe and home T20 series this month against Australia and England.
Speaking ahead of the England series, Williamson said his international availability is limited by a desire to spend more time with his young family, as well as play in lucrative professional leagues.
“As your life situation changes, as mine has, the balance between where you spend your time and give your attention is really, really important,” Williamson told New Zealand Cricket.
“So still being able to play for New Zealand and play the sport that I love at the highest level is great. But the balance is the most important thing for me.”
Since his debut in 2010 Williamson has scored 9,276 Test runs at an average of 54.88 to be comfortably New Zealand’s most prolific batter.
He has gradually reduced his commitments over the last two years, relinquishing the captaincy in all formats.
His “casual” contract with the national body requires him to commit to only certain series and tournaments.
Williamson has spent much of this year in England, where he was captain of London Spirit in the men’s Hundred competition, as well as playing for Middlesex.
He is yet to play under new national coach Rob Walter but has spoken with him extensively about availability.
“It’s just an ongoing communication with New Zealand Cricket and with Rob, and I’m grateful for that,” Williamson said.
“It’s a lot about the balance, with family and time away, but also the delicate balance of being a part of this team that I’ve really loved and enjoyed for such a long period of time.”
Williamson is one of five Black Caps on casual playing agreements with New Zealand Cricket, including Lockie Ferguson, Devon Conway, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert.
Sports
Indian man arrested over alleged inappropriate conduct towards Australian women cricketers in Madhya Pradesh
Indian police have arrested a man accused of stalking and inappropriately touching two Australian cricketers participating in the ICC Women’s World Cup in Madhya Pradesh, officials said on Saturday.
The incident happened in the central Indian city of Indore on Thursday morning when the two players left their hotel to go to a cafe, a day after Australia’s six-wicket victory over England in the group stage of the World Cup, when they were allegedly approached by a motorcyclist.
“The security officers of the women’s Australian cricket team filed a complaint that two members of the team faced inappropriate behaviour,” additional deputy commissioner of police, Rajesh Dandotiya, told Indian news agency ANI.
“A FIR (first information report) was registered, and the accused was identified and arrested following an intensive strategic operation.”
He has been charged under sections 74 and 78 of the criminal code that deal with assault or using criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty and stalking, respectively. “We are examining if there were any shortfalls in the security protocols,” Dandotiya added.
Violence against women remains a chronic issue in the world’s most populous country, where an average of nearly 90 rapes a day were reported in 2022.
Dandotiya said the 30-year-old man who was arrested has a criminal record.
The two players were not identified by Indian police or Cricket Australia, which confirmed the incident.
“The matter was reported by team security to police, who are handling the matter,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
Board of Control for Cricket in India Secretary Devajit Saikia said it was a “deeply regrettable and isolated incident.
“We appreciate the swift and effective action taken by the Madhya Pradesh Police in apprehending the accused. The law will take its due course to ensure justice is served,” Saikia said.
“We will also review our existing safety protocols and strengthen them further, if necessary, to ensure such incidents are not repeated.”
The Times of India newspaper reported that the team’s security manager received a distress message from one of the cricketers that said “… there is a guy following us trying to grab us”.
Team officials were informed and went to their location to assist the players, the paper said.
A police patrol then escorted the players safely back to the team’s hotel.
India has made strides towards gender equality and women’s empowerment in recent years but safety for women remains a serious concern.
Sports
Cricket Australia says two Women’s World Cup members were ‘touched inappropriately’ in India: report
Two members of the Australian Women’s World Cup cricket team were reportedly “touched inappropriately” while walking in India, ABC News reported on Saturday.
In a statement, Cricket Australia said the duo were walking to a cafe in Indore when they were approached by someone on a motorcycle, the news outlet added.
India are one of the two co-hosts of the ICC Women’s World Cup, along with Sri Lanka.
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