Mitchell Santner tests positive for Covid-19 ahead of the Ireland tour
The Covid scare has hit the New Zealand camp ahead of their tour to Ireland. The all-rounder Mitchell Santner has tested positive for Covid-19.
The Kiwis were due to fly out to New Zealand on Sunday, but Santner, who is appointed as the captain for the T20 series of the tour, will remain at home ahead of the three-match ODI series and three-match T20I series later this month.
New Zealand’s head coach, Shane Jurgensen said that the left-arm spinner’s availability for the six matches against the Irish will not be determined until he recovers from Covid and arrives in Dublin.
“Covid has been a challenge and will continue to be in the future and we will adapt accordingly, contingencies are always in place,” Jurgensen said.
“He’s feeling OK and the priority will be getting him into camp with us hopefully later in the week to assess where he’s at and when he may be ready to play.
“We’ve got 11 games across the three tours and another tour to follow against the West Indies in August which Mitch will be involved with so we certainly won’t be looking to rush him.”
Santner has been made the T20 captain for the series while Tom Latham will lead New Zealand during the three ODIs.
The Ireland team recently gave a tough fight to the Indian Team in the second T20 international, losing the match by just 4 runs. The New Zealand team will be wary of the Irish talent coming into the series.
New Zealand ODI squad: Tom Latham, (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Dane Cleaver, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillip, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young
New Zealand T20 squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rippon, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner
