Santner Adds Spin Option to New Zealand Test Squad vs England

Mitchell Santner added to New Zealand Test squad for 3-match series vs England, starting June 4 at Lord’s. He arrived in England on May 30 and will train with the squad ahead of the 1st Test. Santner, 34, had previously been ruled out of the first of three Tests against England, as well as the one-off Test against Ireland in Belfast, after scans revealed a "grade three ACL shoulder injury" that would need a month's rehab. New Zealand had said he would be monitored with a view to joining the squad for the second and third Tests, at The Oval and Trent Bridge. However, he will now take the place of spinning allrounder Dean Foxcroft, who made 98 on debut against Ireland but is set to return home early. Fast recovery from IPL injury: Santner suffered a grade-three shoulder injury fielding for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026.Originally ruled out of 1st Test and the Ireland one-off, with rehab expected to take a month. Recovered a week early and joined squad immediately. New Zealand beat Ireland by an innings inside three days earlier this week, with Nathan Smith taking eight wickets and Blair Tickner six; Foxcroft only bowled one over, while Daryl Mitchell chipped in with his medium-pace. Matt Henry missed the game with a low-grade hamstring strain, instead flying to London to prepare for the England series alongside Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke. Spin-bowling all-rounder: 78 Test wickets in 32 matches, 1085 runs, including a Test century vs England in 2019.White-ball captain and key spinner for NZ. Coach Rob Walter confirmed pace attack Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke all available, with Nathan Smith likely at No.8 as all-rounder. 3-Test series: Lord’s June 4, The Oval June 17, Trent Bridge June 24.NZ coming off innings win over Ireland in Belfast, boosting WTC 2025-27 campaign. England haven’t played Test cricket since the Ashes in January. Bottom line: Fit-again Santner’s early return gives NZ a spin option and batting depth for the England series, replacing Foxcroft after his 98 on debut vs Ireland.