Mitchell Santner has been appointed the new BLACKCAPS white ball captain, officially taking over the role from Kane Williamson, who stepped down following the ICC T20 World Cup in June.
Santner, who has represented the BLACKCAPS in 243 internationals, will take-on the permanent leadership mantle of both the ODI and T20I sides, after previously leading the team in 24 T20Is and four ODIs.
The 32-year-old will officially begin his full-time captaincy tenure in the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka in late December and early January.
The two series begin a heavy run of white ball cricket for the side, including an ODI Tri Series in Pakistan in February, followed by the ICC Champions Trophy and a home T20I and ODI series against Pakistan to conclude the New Zealand home summer.
Santner said he was humbled to be asked to lead the white ball teams on a full-time basis.
“It’s obviously a huge honour and a privilege to be asked,” said Santner.
“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.
“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.”
Santner, who most recently led the side in last month’s T20I and ODI series in Sri Lanka, is one of just four players to have represented New Zealand over 100 times in both ODI and T20I cricket and is widely regarded as one of the top white ball bowlers in world cricket.
He first led the side in a T20I against West Indies at Bay Oval in November 2020 and became New Zealand’s 24th ODI captain when he led the side in the only ODI against Scotland in Edinburgh in 2022.
He said it was an exciting time to lead both white ball sides.
“There’s obviously a little bit of a changing of the guard with some of our experienced players at the back end of their careers.
“I think that’s exciting for the remainder of the group and the young players to now take on the challenge and drive this team forward to further success.”
BLACKCAPS head coach Gary Stead said Santner was a great fit for the role.
“Mitch is a fantastic team man and leads by example in all facets of the game,” said Stead.
“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.
“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.”
Stead said the decision to hand Santner the mantle for both white ball teams was one based on the needs of the wider team.
“In Tom Latham we have an accomplished and experienced captain who has led the side admirably across all three formats.
“Tom’s doing a great job as full-time Test captain since taking over in October and we’re keen to allow him to focus on that job which requires a considerable amount of time and energy.”
NZC CEO Scott Weenink said Santner was a strong fit for the role.
“Mitchell was a natural choice, being one of the first picked for both the ODI and T20 teams, and being very popular and well-respected by his teammates,” said Mr Weenink.
“He’s been one of the top-performing white ball bowlers in world cricket for several years, and his experience will hold him in good stead as he takes over the captaincy roles.
“I know he will be a great leader of these teams.”
The BLACKCAPS squads for the KFC T20I and Chemist Warehouse ODI series against Sri Lanka will be named on Monday.
The three-match T20I series begins at Bay Oval on December 28.
