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New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Wednesday, December 18 announced spin bowler Mitchell Santner as their full-time white-ball captain. The decision by the Black Caps came six months after Kane Williamson stepped down from the position after the side’s exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 in June.
Moreover, Santner will begin his stint as white-ball captain with a three-match ODI series at home against Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to commence from December 28. Furthermore, it is to be noted that Santner has previously led New Zealand in 28 white-ball matches.
Mitchell Santner named New Zealand’s white-ball captain
Speaking after the appointment, Santner described this appointments as a “huge honour”. “ When you're a young kid, the dream was always to play for New Zealand, but to have the opportunity to officially lead my country in two formats is special. It's a new challenge and I'm excited to get stuck into the important period of white ball cricket that we have ahead of us," Santner said, as quoted in the release.
New Zealand Head Coach Gary Stead also opened up on Santner taking up the role as Black Caps full-time white-ball skipper with Tom Latham leading the side in Test cricket. “Tom's doing a great job as full-time Test captain since taking over in October, and we're keen to allow him to focus on that job which requires a considerable amount of time and energy," Gary Stead said.
It is to be noted that the announcement comes a day after Mitchell Santner was named the Player of the Match in the third Test against England. The 32-year-old picked seven wickets with the ball and smashed 76 and 49 runs with the bat across the two innings. Moreover, Santner has so far featured in 107 ODIs and 106 T20Is for the Kiwis.
