Santner to undergo surgery | Changes to New Zealand XI side

Mitchell Santner has been ruled out of cricket for six to nine months with a knee injury.

Santner experienced discomfort in his right knee in the recent short format series against England and Australia and a scan at the time showed a bone defect.

A further scan in recent days has shown that the defect had deteriorated further and will require surgery to be fixed. Santner will be operated on later this week, before beginning an extensive rehabilitation.

BLACKCAPS Coach Mike Hesson said it was tough news for Santner.

“On a personal level everyone feels for Mitchell. He’s a popular guy in the changing room and he’s well respected for the work he puts in for the side,” said Hesson.

"Mitchell is a key player in all three formats for us, so we’ll certainly miss him in the upcoming series. It’s important though that he gets this fixed and we have him back for what is a big next 18 months for us.”

There have been a number of changes to the New Zealand XI sides to face England in a pair of two day matches against England in Hamilton.

Central Stags spinner Ajaz Patel has been added to the side for both matches and Martin Guptill will now be involved in both matches.

Ish Sodhi will no longer play in Hamilton and will instead return to the Plunket Shield. Ross Taylor will also not play the second match, but is expected to be available for the first Test.

NZ XI for Pink Ball match in Hamilton, 14–15 March

Tom Latham - captain
Tom Blundell
Doug Bracewell
Colin de Grandhomme
Martin Guptill
Kyle Jamieson
Scott Kuggeleijn
Henry Nicholls
Ajaz Patel
Seth Rance
Jeet Raval
Nathan Smith

 
NZ XI for Red Ball match in Hamilton, 16–17 March

Martin Guptill - captain
Logan van Beek
Tom Blundell
Doug Bracewell
Mark Chapman
Scott Kuggeleijn
Ajaz Patel
Glenn Phillips
Seth Rance
Tim Seifert
Nathan Smith