With the Cricket World Cup looming, Blackcaps skipper Kane Williamson may have aggravated his shoulder injury in the Indian Premier League.
New Zealand is due to name its squad for the one-day championship on Wednesday, but former NZ bowler Simon Doull has cast some concern over the captain's fitness, after watching him return to action over the weekend.
Williamson injured his shoulder while fielding during his side's second test against Bangladesh last month and was ruled out of the third test before it was cancelled.
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He was expected to spend several weeks recovering, but turned out for the Hyderabad Sunrisers on Saturday, scoring 14 runs off 10 balls in a five-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals.
Doull, part of the IPL's TV commentary team, told Trackside Radio that Williamson didn't look 100 percent.
"I don't think he is," said Doull. "He think he played the first game injured and he's re-injured it again.
"We were led to believe it would be 1-2 weeks minimum, but I don't think it was nine days before he played for the Sunrisers. I saw him injure it again in that game - he couldn't dive at all or stretch his left arm out."
Williamson subsequently missed yesterday's 118-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore.
"I'm not sure how he's going to travel for the next game either," Doull told Trackside.
"Obviously, he's a crucial part of New Zealand's World Cup set-up. I'd be pretty disappointed if he didn't make sure he was 100 percent right before he had another crack.
"I would be concerned enough to say he needs another week-and-a-half to two weeks before he's 100 percent right, because I don't think he took the full two weeks."
The Blackcaps will name their ODI squad in Christchurch, with local players Henry Nicholls, Matt Henry and Tom Latham attending. Doull says that suggests Canterbury spinner Todd Astle has missed out to Ish Sodhi.
"Maybe they're holding that back and it's a bit of a surprise, but it could also mean Sodhi gets the nod," he said.
"I'm comfortable with that. Ish has been outstanding, for the most part, in one-day internationals for New Zealand. I'd feel more comfortable that he will take wickets."
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