Overview
Mitchell Josef Santner (born 5 February 1992) is a New Zealand international cricketer and the captain of the New Zealand team in limited overs cricket. A bowling all-rounder, he bats left-handed and bowls slow left-arm orthodox spin. Domestically, he represents Northern Districts. He has been part of the highest seventh-wicket partnership for New Zealand in Test cricket, and is also known to play golf occasionally.
Santner was elevated to the New Zealand team after a promising 2014–15 domestic season. Following the retirement of Daniel Vettori after the 2015 World Cup, New Zealand sought another left-arm spin option, and Santner was named in the one-day squad for the tour of England. He was drafted into the touring party at the start of the tour to cover for players absent due to the Indian Premier League, and made an immediate impression with a well-crafted 94 against Somerset. He earned his One Day International debut at Edgbaston, having played only 19 List A matches for Northern Districts at that point.
Santner was part of the New Zealand squad that finished as runners-up at the 2019 Cricket World Cup. In November 2020, he captained New Zealand for the first time in an international fixture, leading the side in the third Twenty20 International against the West Indies, and did so again in the first T20I against Pakistan. In December 2024, he was named New Zealand's permanent white-ball captain.
He led New Zealand at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where the team finished as runners-up after an enthralling final against India.
References
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article on Mitchell Santner.