Santner’s departure to Ireland delayed by Covid-19

BLACKCAPS all-rounder Mitchell Santner will miss Sunday’s team flight to Ireland after testing positive for Covid-19 on Friday.

Santner’s departure will be delayed until later in the week once he has recovered and tests negative.

The 30-year-old will aim to link up with the ODI squad ahead of the three-game series which begins in Malahide on Sunday, before he captains the T20 team for series against Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands.

Head coach for Ireland Shane Jurgensen said Santner was experiencing minor symptoms and his availability for the series would be determined once he 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,” he 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.”

The New Zealand based ODI players depart for Dublin on Sunday at 5:10pm.