The Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner has been named New Zealand’s white-ball captain and will be taking over from Kane Williamson, who stepped down after the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Santner has played 243 internationals and will now lead both ODI and T20I sides, the 32-year-old has prior experience, having captained the team in 24 T20Is and four ODIs.
His first assignment as a full-time captain will begin with the T20I and ODI leg of Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand in 2024. His first major event will be February’s Champions Trophy before building up the squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
“It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be asked,” Santner said. “When you’re a young kid the dream was always to play for New Zealand but to have the opportunity to lead my country in two formats officially is special.
News | Mitchell Santner has been appointed the new BLACKCAPS white ball captain, officially taking over the role from Kane Williamson, who stepped down following the ICC T20 World Cup in June. #CricketNation https://t.co/nnMQJt5Q1R
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 17, 2024
“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.”
Head coach Gary Stead explained that blackcaps were conscious of not adding to Tom Latham’s workload as Black Caps Test captain. Santner is also first choice selection across both white-ball formats.
“In Tom Latham we have an accomplished and experienced captain who has led the side admirably across all three formats,” Stead said.
“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.”
“Mitch is a fantastic team man and leads by example in all facets of the game. He’s an incredibly calm and collected personality and he has a huge amount of respect in the changing room, which will serve him well.
“He’s had plenty of experience leading the T20 side and did a good job when he captained the ODI team last month, so he already has a good understanding of what it means to lead the team. I’m sure Mitch will also bring his own ideas and style of leadership to the role.”
The Sri Lanka tour will begin with start of T20I leg starting on December 28 at Bay Oval.
