Mitchell Santner replaces Kane Williamson as New Zealand's top man
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New Zealand have appointed Mitchell Santner as their new captain for the ODI and the T20I formats. Santner is an experienced cricketer for New Zealand and has served the national team for several years.
Santner replaces Kane Williamson as the team's new white-ball captain. Williamson had earlier resigned from the captaincy after the T20 World Cup 2024 in June where New Zealand had a dismal campaign and failed to qualify for the Super 8 stage.
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Mitchell Santner becomes New Zealand's new white-ball captain
News | Mitchell Santner has been appointed the new BLACKCAPS white ball captain, officially taking over the role from Kane Williamson, who stepped down following the ICC T20 World Cup in June. #CricketNation https://t.co/nnMQJt5Q1R
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 17, 2024
Mitchell Santner has played 30 Tests, 107 ODIs, and 106 T20Is so far. He made his international debut way back in 2015 and was seen as the successor of the former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori at that time.
Over the years, he has developed into an integral player of this Blackcaps team. His bowling skills have significantly improved and he has developed into a fine batter lower down the order as well.
He will now take over as New Zealand's captain in both the ODIs and the T20Is. He has already led the team in 4 ODIs and 24 T20Is so far on an interim basis and will now lead them as the permanent captain.
Santner's official tenure as a full-time captain will begin in the upcoming ODI and the T20I series against Sri Lanka, which will be played in December 2024 and January 2025. The series will be played in New Zealand.
Mitchell Santner speaks on being appointed captain
While speaking to New Zealand Cricket, Mitchell Santner revealed that he was honored to receive his country's captaincy but added that it will be a new challenge for him. He is excited to take on the challenge of leading his team.
“It's obviously a huge honor and a privilege to be asked. 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," Santner said.
"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 noted.
The all-rounder was excited for the whole group to start a new chapter with New Zealand cricket. But he also mentioned the role of the experienced players during this transition stage.
“There’s obviously a little bit of a changing of the guard with some of our experienced players at the back end of their careers. I think that’s exciting for the remainder of the group and the young players to now take on the challenge and drive this team forward to further success,” Santner added.
New challenge for Mitchell Santner
Mitchell Santner will have very little time to prepare a team for the ICC Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held in February-March next year. Being the captain of the team, he will be aiming to prepare a solid squad with a good mix of experience of youth.
Before the Champions Trophy, New Zealand will play a tri-series in Pakistan in February. To conclude the home summer, the Kiwis will play an ODI and a T20I series against Pakistan at home.
