Ahead of the first Test against England, New Zealand have received a big boost as their star player Mitchell Santner has been declared fit to play at Lord’s from June 4.
Santner picked up a shoulder injury in the Indian Premier League playing for Mumbai Indians. He had to leave the tournament days later. Initially, he had been ruled out of the first Test, but now, as it turns out, he has recovered just in time.
34-year-old Santner is New Zealand’s white-ball captain, and earlier this year, he led his team to a runners-up finish in the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Santner brings a lot to the table. He is a fantastic left-arm spinner and can turn the complexion of the game through his batting too. He averages almost 26 in Test cricket and has scored a century and four fifties in the 32 Tests that he has played to date.
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In April, the New Zealander picked up the injury while trying to take a catch against Chennai Super Kings. He was substituted due to concussion fears.
“I think he hit his head first, neck, obviously the shoulder as well. He went for a scan because once he got back, he felt dizzy, so he was lying down. Yes, the icing was there for the shoulder, but he felt that he wasn’t stable.
“So we took him for a scan in that situation, so we requested [a concussion sub]. Obviously, it’s at the match referee’s and umpire’s discretion, so they allowed Shardul [Thakur].
“Mitch will be disappointed that his batting power is matched to Shardul Thakur, but it is what it is. But hopefully it’s not too bad. Once he comes back, we will have a look at it,” MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene informed after the match.
Anyway, New Zealand will be happy that their star performer has recovered in time ahead of a three-game series, which is going to test them not a little.
New Zealand squad to play England: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears (travelling reserve), Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young
