New Zealand dealt injury blow ahead of key WTC tour
Mitchell Santner is set to miss Ireland Test and start of England series, casting doubt on his short-term availability in a crucial WTC phase.
New Zealand have been dealt a significant setback with white-ball captain Mitchell Santner ruled out for at least a month after scans confirmed a grade three ACL injury in his left shoulder.
The 34-year-old sustained the injury while fielding for Mumbai Indians during their recent Indian Premier League clash against Chennai Super Kings. Santner returned to New Zealand earlier this week and, following a specialist consultation, has been advised to undergo a period of rest and rehabilitation.
With New Zealand taking on Ireland in a four-day one-off Test on May 27, followed by a three match World Test Championship series against England starting June 4 at Lord’s. The injury rules out Santner from the Test against Ireland as well as the Kiwis’ first Test against England, with a call on his fitness for the remainder of the series to be taken closer to time.
Santner’s absence will be a big one, considering his prowess with bat and ball. He has been a crucial part of New Zealand’s transition in white-ball cricket as under his stewardship, the Blackcaps have made the finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, as well as the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy held last year in Pakistan and Dubai.
Santner's valuable strike | T20WC 2026
Skipper Mitchell Santner providing the last-over punch that New Zealand needed against Sri Lanka at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
New Zealand currently sit in second in the World Test Championship Standings, and will be looking to consolidate their place to make a second WTC Final next year.
New Zealand’s next white-ball assignment is a tour of the West Indies in July, featuring both ODIs and T20Is, before they return home for a marquee three-format series against India beginning in October.
A full squad for the Ireland and England Tests is expected to be announced in the coming days, with the Kiwis now forced into at least one adjustment following Santner’s untimely injury.