Kane Williamson is likely to be out for two months due to an injury, but surgery is not planned

The two-test streak against South Africa appears to be the earliest captain Kane Williamson will play next for the Black Caps, but there is no prospect of an operation.

Williamson was banned from the second Test against India on the morning of the first day with a persistent elbow tendon injury, and head coach Gary Stead said Tuesday the skipper will likely be out of action for eight or nine weeks. The first test against the touring South Africans begins on February 17th at the Hagley Oval, which is just over 10 weeks away.

"Kane is making good progress," said Stead of the captain and the injury that has left him out at various stages this year.“ The last time after the World Test Championship [finals] and before the IPL and T20 World Cup, it was about eight or nine weeks.

“I assume it's somewhere in that time frame again. We try not to set a time frame at this point. "

New Zealand will play two Tests against Bangladesh, the first starting on New Years Day in Mount Maunganui, then traveling to Australia from January 30th to February 8th for three ODIs and a T20 before preparing for the first Test against the Proteas.

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"I think surgery is unlikely," said Stead of treating the injury, preferring rest and rehabilitation. “All surgery would do is make sure rehab is done. If we do not need to cut a tendon, our choices are not to do so.

"Kane makes it difficult, don't get me wrong. He loves to play for New Zealand - he hates the thought of missing out on every cricket, let alone a test cricket for New Zealand. "