Mitchell Santner to Lead New Zealand

Mitchell Santner has been appointed as New Zealand's interim captain for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, as confirmed by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Tuesday. Santner will lead a 15-man squad that includes first-time call-ups for bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith and wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay. The tour will feature two T20Is and three ODIs next month. NZC also mentioned that a decision regarding the permanent ODI and T20I captain will be made later this summer.

Nathan Smith, 25, was recently named NZC's Men's Domestic Player of the Year and earned his first central contract last month. Smith took 24 wickets across domestic white-ball competitions for Wellington last season, including a standout performance of 4 for 5 in the Super Smash. Hay, who made his debut for New Zealand A last year, was awarded Canterbury's Male Player of the Year in April.

Pace bowler Lockie Ferguson will lead the fast-bowling attack, which includes Smith, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, and Josh Clarkson. Tim Robinson, after an impressive debut on his maiden international tour to Pakistan in April, also makes the squad.

In the spin department, Santner will be supported by Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips as all-rounders, while Dean Foxcroft adds off-spin options. Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, with 117 T20I appearances, brings the most experience to the squad.

The batting lineup is bolstered by Phillips, Will Young, and Henry Nicholls, with Nicholls coming off an outstanding Ford Trophy campaign where he amassed 301 runs at an average of 75.25. Six players from the New Zealand Test squad in India will join the team in Sri Lanka after the conclusion of their series in Mumbai. The rest of the squad, based in New Zealand, will travel to Sri Lanka on November 4, ahead of the first T20I on November 9 in Dambulla. Bracewell will join the team following the birth of his second child.

Several players, including 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 are focusing on the three-Test series against England, beginning on November 28 in Christchurch.

Chief selector Sam Wells highlighted the importance of this Sri Lanka tour as part of New Zealand's preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025 and the 2027 ODI World Cup. Wells highlighted the need to build depth within the squad due to the demands of international cricket and said this tour offers a chance to introduce players who represent the future of the Blackcaps.

Head coach Gary Stead will oversee the squad, with bowling coach Jacob Oram. James Foster, a former England international, will return as the batting coach for this tour, while Luke Ronchi, the full-time batting coach, will remain in New Zealand to prepare for the upcoming home season.

New Zealand T20I and ODI Squad:

- Mitchell Santner (c)

- Michael Bracewell

- Mark Chapman

- Josh Clarkson

- Jacob Duffy

- Lockie Ferguson

- Zak Foulkes

- Dean Foxcroft

- Mitchell Hay (wk)

- Henry Nicholls

- Glenn Phillips

- Tim Robinson

- Nathan Smith

- Ish Sodhi

- Will Young

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Series Schedule:

- Nov 9: 1st T20I, Dambulla

- Nov 10: 2nd T20I, Dambulla

- Nov 13: 1st ODI, Dambulla

- Nov 17: 2nd ODI, Pallekelle

- Nov 19: 3rd ODI, Pallekelle