Redmond recalled as Williamson ruled out of New Zealand team for 1st WIndies test

Mon, Dec 2, '13

DUNEDIN, New Zealand - New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the first cricket test against the West Indies starting Tuesday, allowing Aaron Redmond to revive a test career which stalled five years ago.

Captain Brendon McCullum said Monday it has been decided not to risk Williamson, who was forced out of New Zealand's recent tour to Bangladesh with a broken thumb.

Williamson was last week was given a 95 per cent chance of playing in the test at University Oval by selection manager Bruce Edgar.

McCullum says Williamson, who bats at No. 3, "probably could have played" but it had been decided not to rush his return. The decision means a recall for Redmond, who played the most-recent of his seven tests against Australia in 2008.