<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Less than six months after knee surgery threatened to rule him out of next month's ODI World Cup, the goal of captaining New Zealand in India has been the key driver in getting Kane Williamson through his recovery.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 33-year-old tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee playing for Indian Premier League side Gujarat Titans in April, which looked to have scuppered his chances of making the showpiece tournament.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, intense rehab work has meant a speedy recovery.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Williamson hopes to be ready for the Black Caps opening game against defending champions England on October 5, a repeat of the 2019 final his side narrowly lost.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"It would be great. Naturally, you want to be back playing when you are fit and ready, sooner rather than later," he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"You hope that ends up being around that World Cup time, but I'm still being very focused on the rehab day-to-day and not wanting those targets to stretch it to a point where you take a backward step."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Williamson is already batting in the nets again, which the injured knee can handle.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"For running, it's not quite 100 percent, but making good progress," he added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Black Caps coach Gary Stead said there was no fixed date for when Williamson will play again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But his return will be a big boost. He was player of the 2019 tournament with centuries against South Africa and the West Indies in leading New Zealand to the cusp of lifting the trophy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 'Little steps forward' -</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Williamson, who has chalked up over 6,500 runs in ODI cricket, is desperate to appear in a fourth World Cup, admitting the prospect "keeps you in the gym every day and working hard".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"It's been really pleasing to see the progress and keep taking those little steps forward," he added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While New Zealand have warmed-up for the World Cup with tours of England and Bangladesh, Williamson's injury has limited his preparations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But he is not overly concerned.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Naturally, it isn't ideal, but I didn't get too much of a say in it. It's the only option I have in front of me and the prospect of playing another World Cup is really, really exciting," he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"It's something you always want to be a part of but I didn't want that to dictate my rehab. At the same time, having a carrot at the back of your mind is helpful."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Despite a burning desire to play, the New Zealand skipper said he would have no problem withdrawing from the squad if the injury flared up.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I only want to be there if I can add some value and I'm fit and ready to go," he said,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Williamson already knows about spending time on the sidelines after returning last year from a lengthy spell out with an elbow injury.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Working through injuries are part of the job, so being ready for whatever's next is the goal," he said. AFP</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>