Santner named New Zealand's interim white-ball captain for SL tour

Spin-bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner has been named New Zealand's interim captain for the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, the New Zealand Cricket announced on October 22 (Tuesday). The Black Caps are scheduled to play two T20Is (November 9 and 10) and three ODIs (November 13, 17 and 19) in Sri Lanka.

The board also confirmed that the decision on the long-term ODI and T20I captain will be taken later in the summer. Talking about the 15-man squad, Nathan Smith and Mitchell Hay have received maiden call-ups.

Fast-bowling all-rounder Smith, who was recently named the NZC's Men's Domestic Player of the Year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards, got his first central Blackcaps contract last month. He claimed 24 wickets across both white-ball competitions for the Firebirds last summer.

Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Hay has been a consistent performer across all three formats in recent seasons and was crowned Canterbury’s male Player of the Year in April. 

Six members from the current New Zealand Test squad in India have been included and will relocate straight to Sri Lanka at the conclusion of the third Test against India in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee and Kane Williamson were not considered for selection as they prioritise the upcoming three-Test series against England, starting in Christchurch on November 28.

"This (Sri Lanka) tour is the beginning of the build-up towards the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025 and we also have an eye towards the 2027 ODI World Cup," chief selector Sam Wells said.

"Building depth is of critical importance due to the demands of the international schedule and the need to peak for pinnacle events. For that reason it's particularly exciting to include a number of players that we believe represent the future of the Blackcaps."

Squad - Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay (wk), Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Will Young

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