Mitchell Josef Santner is a renowned cricket player hailing from New Zealand. Born on February 5, 1992, Santner is known for his expertise as a left-handed batsman and left-arm spinner. His journey to success in the cricketing world began after a promising 2014-15 domestic season, when his remarkable performances caught the attention of the selectors.
Due to the retirement of cricketing legend Daniel Vettori after the World Cup, the New Zealand team was desperately in search of another left-arm spin option. Recognizing Santner’s potential, he was named in the one-day squad for the tour of England in 2015. While he was initially included to cover the absence of some players participating in the IPL, Santner soon proved his worth by showcasing his skills in a tour game against Somerset, where he crafted an impressive innings of 94.
In spite of having played just 19 List A matches for Northern Districts, Santner made his ODI debut at Edgbaston. The New Zealand camp was delighted to have a left-arm spinner who possessed the ability to turn the ball. Later that year, he received the opportunity to make his Test debut in the historic first ever day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide. Batting at No.6, Santner made significant contributions with scores of 31 and 45, and he also displayed his bowling prowess by taking two wickets.
Although his Test opportunities were limited in the following years, Santner established himself as a key player in the white-ball teams for the Black Caps. His remarkable performances in the shorter formats of the game earned him a place in the prestigious Chennai Super Kings team for the 2019 IPL, where he played under the guidance of Stephen Fleming. Santner’s game-changing abilities were on display when he won a match for his team by hitting a six off the last ball against Rajasthan, and he contributed immensely in the IPL final against Mumbai by taking 2 for 13 from 4 overs, including the crucial wicket of Rohit Sharma.
Santner’s valuable experience in high-pressure situations played a pivotal role in the 2019 World Cup held in England. In the semi-final against India, he delivered a clutch spell that stifled their middle order and contributed significantly to New Zealand’s spot in the final against England.
Later that year, Santner achieved a remarkable milestone by recording his maiden Test century in an epic partnership with BJ Watling. Their partnership of 261 runs became New Zealand’s highest seventh-wicket stand in history and propelled their team to a total of 615-9, their highest Test score against England. Furthermore, his exceptional bowling performance in England’s second innings yielded him a record-breaking three wickets, contributing to New Zealand’s emphatic victory by an innings.
Mitchell Santner’s contributions to the cricketing world have been remarkable. Despite his limited Test opportunities, he has established himself as a crucial player in white-ball cricket. His ability to deliver in high-pressure situations has solidified his position in the New Zealand cricket team, and his successes in various domestic and international competitions have made him a respected figure in the cricketing world. With his outstanding skills and determination, there is no doubt that Mitchell Santner will continue to create waves in the cricketing arena.
