In a significant announcement for cricket enthusiasts, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has officially named Mitchell Santner as the new captain for their limited-overs teams, encompassing both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). This decision marks a new era for the Black Caps, following the resignation of former captain Kane Williamson from the white-ball formats earlier in the year.
Santner, 32, who has been a stalwart in the New Zealand cricket setup, brings a wealth of experience to the leadership role, having played in 107 ODIs and 106 T20Is. Known for his left-arm spin and handy lower-order batting, Santner has previously led the team in a few matches when Williamson was absent, showcasing his leadership potential. His appointment as full-time captain was announced on Wednesday (December 18), as confirmed by NZC in a statement, heralding his first major stint as captain in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.
“I’m excited to get stuck into the important period of white-ball cricket that we have ahead of us”
The decision to appoint Santner comes at a time when New Zealand cricket is looking to build depth in their squad ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025 and with an eye on the 2027 one-day Cricket World Cup.
“It’s obviously a huge honour and a privilege to be asked,” Santner said in an statement.
“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,” he added.
New Zealand will travel to Pakistan in February
Santner’s first challenge as captain will be against Sri Lanka at home, where he will lead a squad that includes a mix of seasoned players and newcomers like Nathan Smith and wicketkeeper-batter Mitch Hay. The series is seen as an opportunity not only to test Santner’s leadership but also to fine-tune the team’s strategy and composition for upcoming global events.
Following the T20I series versus Sri Lanka, New Zealand will travel for an ODI tri-series in Pakistan, followed by the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and a white-ball series against Pakistan to conclude the New Zealand home summer.
As New Zealand cricket embarks on this new chapter under Santner’s captaincy, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this change will influence the team’s performance on the global stage. The upcoming series against Sri Lanka will be the first test of Santner’s mettle as he steers the Black Caps towards new horizons in limited-overs cricket.