In a significant leadership change for New Zealand, Mitchell Santner has been appointed as the team's white-ball captain, succeeding Kane Williamson, who has stepped down following the T20I World Cup 2024. Santer has also captained the side in past in 24 T20Is and 4 ODIs. He has been a massive figure in side's white-ball setup. In his first assignment as full-time captain, Santner will lead the side in the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka.
“It's obviously a huge honour 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," said Santner as quoted by New Zealand Cricket.
“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.”
New Zealan head coach Gary Stead said that Santner was a fitting candidate to lead the side.
“Mitch is a fantastic team man and leads by example in all facets of the game. He’s an incredibly calm and collected personality and he has a huge amount of respect in the changing room, which will serve him well," Stead said.
“He’s had plenty of experience leading the T20 side and did a good job when he captained the ODI team last month, so he already has a good understanding of what it means to lead the team. “I’m sure Mitch will also bring his own ideas and style of leadership to the role," he said.