Mitchell Santner tests positive for Covid-19 ahead of Pakistan T20Is

Mitchell Santner has tested positive for Covid-19 and, as a result, does not feature in the first T20 International (T20I) against Pakistan at Eden Park, Auckland. The left-arm spinner will travel on his own to his home in Hamilton, where the second game between the two sides will be played on Sunday (January 14).

However, it is unclear whether he will be fit and available for the game, given that the standard protocol is at least a week of home isolation in most parts of the world. Pakistan and New Zealand clash in five T20Is in 10 days across four venues, which concludes in Christchurch on January 21.

In a statement, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said that the all-rounder is being closely monitored.

Santner played a couple of matches in the Super Smash for the Northern Districts, and in the recent match against Otago, he scored 49 off 34. He also recently played three T20Is against Bangladesh at home, picking up five wickets and scoring 43 runs. 

Santner was also the leading wicket-taker for New Zealand at the World Cup in India, finishing with 16 scalps at an economy rate of under five. He also chipped in with 103 runs at a strike-rate of 127.16 with the bat.

With 105 scalps in T20Is, Santner is the third-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand, behind Tim Southee (147) and Ish Sodhi (126).