Mitchell Santner Named NZ's Full-Time White-Ball Captain

Mitchell Santner has been confirmed as New Zealand's permanent white-ball captain, succeeding Kane Williamson, who stepped down after the Black Caps’ early exit from the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. Santner, one of only four New Zealand players to have played over 100 matches in both white-ball formats, has already captained the team in 24 T20Is and four ODIs, including their recent tour of Sri Lanka. 

Santner’s official tenure as full-time captain begins with a T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka in late December and January. This marks the start of a busy white-ball schedule for New Zealand, including an ODI tri-series in Pakistan, the ICC Champions Trophy, and a home series against Pakistan. 

Santner expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, describing the role as a significant honour and privilege. He highlighted the importance of leading the team during a transitional phase, with several experienced players nearing the end of their careers. Santner emphasised the potential for younger players to step up and drive the team toward future success. 

Head coach Gary Stead explained that the decision to appoint Santner aimed to ease the workload on Tom Latham, New Zealand's red-ball skipper. Stead praised Latham's leadership across all formats but emphasised the need for him to focus solely on Test cricket due to its demands. Santner’s appointment reflects confidence in his ability to guide the team through an important phase in white-ball cricket.