New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of Ireland tour

New Zealand’s stand-in captain Mitchell Santner has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of their upcoming tour of Ireland. The Black Caps were scheduled to depart for Ireland on Sunday, July 3 but as Santner is down with coronavirus, he will not be a part of the touring squad for the upcoming limited-overs bilateral series starting July 10 in Dublin.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s head coach for the Ireland series, Shane Jurgensen has made it clear that they are not going to rush in any manner with regards to the all-rounder’s health. Hence, his availability for the bilateral series will only be decided once he recovers completely from the virus and lands in Dublin. It also needs to be noted that the Kiwis have decided to rest some of their key players for this tour.

Mitchell Santner is feeling fine: Shane Jurgensen

“Covid has been a challenge and will continue to be in the future and we will adapt accordingly, contingencies are always in place. He’s feeling OK and the priority will be getting him into camp with us hopefully later in the week to assess where he’s at and when he may be ready to play,” Jurgensen was quoted as saying by the ICC.

“We’ve got 11 games across the three tours and another tour to follow against the West Indies in August which Mitch will be involved with so we certainly won’t be looking to rush him,” Jurgensen further added.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand selectors and the team management have decided to rest some of their seasoned players including the likes of regular skipper Kane Williamson and pace spearhead Trent Boult due to their wellness policy. Williamson was also tested COVID-19 positive during the England Test series last month and has been nursing an elbow injury for quite a while.

Apart from Ireland, New Zealand’s cricketing tour to Europe includes assignments against Scotland and the Netherlands. Coming back to the Ireland series, three ODIs will be played in Dublin on July 10, 12, and 15 which will be followed by as many T20Is on the 18th, 20th, and 22nd respectively in Belfast.