New Zealand expect Kane Williamson to hit form for T20 World Cup

Kane Williamson to shake off a dip in form at the Twenty20 World Cup as they target a first global trophy after coming agonisingly close in recent years. New Zealand open their World Cup campaign against hosts and defending champions Australia in Sydney on October 22, a repeat of the 2021 final. It was New Zealand's best showing in a T20 World Cup and followed hard on the heels of final defeats in the 50-over World Cup in both 2015 and 2019.

All but two of the current squad played in last year's final as Stead brings an experienced side to Australia. But he needs Williamson to get back among the runs after a persistent elbow injury which needed surgery almost a year ago. Before then Williamson had been in peak form, cracking a Test double century against the West Indies in late 2020, a hundred and a double hundred against Pakistan and another century against India.

Williamson, who only returned for the tour of England in June, has yet to make a fifty in any format in 2022. But Stead is backing him to come right as the Black Caps face a tough task to reach the semi-finals with England and Afghanistan also in their group. "Kane is one of the hardest workers I have seen on his game and he continues to be.

A big score is around the corner," said Stead. "I think it's always difficult when you're such a prolific run scorer as Kane has been." Questions were raised about Williamson's leadership after three defeats in one-day internationals in Australia last month. In the first, pace-bowler Trent Boult had Australia on the ropes, taking three wickets in the first four overs.