Mitchell Santner named New Zealand's full-time white-ball captain
What's the story
Mitchell Santner has been officially appointed the full-time captain of New Zealand's limited-overs sides.
He will replace Kane Williamson, who stepped down from the role after the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.
Santner's tenure will start with the white-ball leg (T20I and ODI series) against Sri Lanka, starting December 28.
Here are further details.
Captaincy record
Santner's leadership experience and upcoming challenges
As of now, Santner has led New Zealand in 24 T20Is and four ODIs.
He is one of only four players to have played for the Black Caps in 100 matches across both the formats.
Notably, the series against Sri Lanka will begin a busy schedule for New Zealand's white-ball teams. Their cycle also includes an ODI tri-series in Pakistan in February, followed by the ICC Champions Trophy.
Coach's endorsement
Stead praises Santner's leadership qualities
Gary Stead, New Zealand's head coach, has praised Santner's leadership skills, calling him "a fantastic team man" who "leads by example in all facets of the game."
Stead said Santner's calmness and respect in the team would stand him in good stead as captain.
The decision to hand the captaincy to Santner was also motivated by wanting Tom Latham to concentrate on his Test captaincy role.
Transition phase
Santner acknowledges changing guard in New Zealand cricket
Further, Santner also acknowledged that this is an exciting time for New Zealand cricket, with some experienced players nearing the end of their careers.
"There's obviously a little bit of a changing of the guard," he said, adding that he is excited for young players to step up and drive the team forward.
Stats
A mainstay all-rounder for New Zealand
Santner has been an underrated, yet a prodigious all-rounder for New Zealand across formats.
He has led them to several wins with both bat and ball. Moreover, the southpaw has emerged as an acrobatic fielder.
Santner, who bowls slow left-arm orthodox, has taken over 100 wickets in both the white-ball formats. He also owns over 1,300 ODI runs at a healthy strike-rate of 90.90.