Mitchell Santner Recovers from Shoulder Injury and Rejoins New Zealand Squad for England Test Series

Mitchell Santner will rejoin New Zealand's squad before the first Test against England at Lord's on Thursday after recovering from a shoulder injury. Santner, 34, the Black Caps' white-ball captain and key spinner, had been ruled out of the opening match following the injury sustained last month in the Indian Premier League.

New Zealand initially expected his return for the second or third Tests but he will now be available for the series opener.

All-rounder Dean Foxcroft, who had received his first call-up as cover for Santner, will return home. New Zealand defeated Ireland by an innings and 79 runs in a one-off Test at Stormont this week. The team's bowling attack already includes seamers Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke, Kyle Jamieson and Blair Tickner.

Santner has taken 78 wickets in 32 Tests and scored his only Test century against England in 2019. He also captained New Zealand in two Tests against Zimbabwe last year. New Zealand's squad for the England series is: Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears (traveling reserve), Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.