WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Kane Williamson will miss at least the first of New Zealand's three tests in India later this month because of a groin strain.
Selector Sam Wells confirmed that Williamson will not be with the rest of the New Zealand squad when it leaves for India on Friday.
Mark Chapman, who has yet to play a test but who has played 23 one-day and 76 Twenty20 internationals was named as injury cover for Williamson in the squad announced Wednesday.
“The advice we’ve received is that the best course of action is for Kane to rest and rehabilitate now rather than risk aggravating the injury,” Wells said. “We’re hopeful that if the rehabilitation goes to plan Kane will be available for the latter part of the tour.
“While it’s obviously disappointing to not have Kane available from the start of the tour, it provides an opportunity for someone else to play a role in an important series.”
Wells said Chapman "is one of our best players of spin and has a proven track-record in the sub-continent.
“Mark has displayed an ability to play spin proactively in the international arena and combined with his excellent first-class record we see him as someone who can succeed in the type of conditions we expect to encounter in India.”
Spinner Michael Bracewell will return to New Zealand after the first test to be with his wife who is expecting their second child. Ish Sodhi has been named for the second and third tests.
The first test at Bengaluru starts on Oct. 16 and the second in Pune from Oct. 24-28. The final test is scheduled for Nov. 1-5 in Mumbai.
New Zealand is coming off a two-test series loss to Sri Lanka in late September.
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New Zealand's Kane Williamson leaves the field after losing his wicket during the day three of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Galle , Sri Lanka, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
New Zealand's Kane Williamson plays a shot during the day three of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Galle , Sri Lanka, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Mookie Betts broke an 0-for-22 playoff slump with a home run Tuesday night but apparently thought he had been robbed again by left fielder Jurickson Profar of the San Diego Padres in Game 3 of the NL Division Series.
Betts' homer gave the Dodgers a short-lived 1-0 lead. Fernando Tatis Jr.'s towering two-run homer highlighted a six-run second inning and the Padres held on to win 6-5 to take a 2-1 series lead. The Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández hit a grand slam in the third.
Game 4 is Wednesday night.
Betts lofted a flyball to the left-field corner at Petco Park with one out in the first inning at almost the same distance as he did in Dodger Stadium on Sunday night, when Profar leaped and reached into the crowd to make the catch. After Profar landed, he trolled the fans by staring at them and bouncing up and down several times before throwing the ball to the infield.
Profar leaped again Tuesday night but couldn't bring it back, with the ball ticking off his glove and into the crowd. Betts rounded first and turned toward the dugout before he got to second. Betts' teammates in the dugout, including Max Muncy, motioned for him to keep going.
Even Padres starter Michael King gestured with his right arm that it was fair.
Betts resumed his trot to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. It was his first playoff hit since Game 3 of the 2022 NLDS against San Diego, which the Padres won in four games.
Game 2 was delayed for 12 minutes after rowdy fans tossed baseballs in the direction of Profar, and then trash onto the outfield.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts celebrates with third base coach Dino Ebel after Betts' solo home run during the first inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Padres pitcher Michael King adjusts his cap after giving up a solo home run to Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts during the first inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Division Series Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts (50) celebrates his solo home run with Shohei Ohtani during the first inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
San Diego Padres left fielder Jurickson Profar reaches over the wall but cannot catch a home run ball from Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts during the first inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Division Series Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts watches his solo home run during the first inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
