New Zealand Name New Test Captain as Tom Latham Out with Injury
New Zealand captain Tom Latham has been ruled out of the upcoming first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo due to a shoulder injury. In his absence, Mitchell Santner, the current white-ball captain, will take the reins as the new Test captain.
Latham suffered the injury while fielding during a Vitality Blast game for Birmingham Bears earlier this month. The news comes as a significant blow to the Kiwi team, which is preparing to face Zimbabwe in the two-match Test series starting on August 4.
The 32-year-old Latham has been an integral part of the New Zealand team, serving as captain since 2021. He has led the team to several victories, including a notable series win against England in 2022. However, his injury will require a significant amount of time to recover, and he will not be available for the first Test.
Santner, 32, has been a reliable performer for New Zealand in the shorter formats, having made his international debut in 2015. He has led the white-ball teams with distinction, and his experience as captain will be valuable in the Test format as well.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead expressed his confidence in Santner’s abilities, stating that he has the leadership skills and experience to lead the team effectively. Stead also praised Latham’s dedication to the team, saying that he would do everything possible to recover from his injury and return to the team as soon as possible.
Latham’s absence will be a significant blow to the New Zealand team, which has been dealing with several injuries and absences in recent times. The team is already without the services of several key players, including Ross Taylor, who retired from international cricket earlier this year.
New Zealand’s squad for the Test series against Zimbabwe is likely to be finalized in the coming days, with several players vying for a spot in the team. The team will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing series loss to England earlier this year and make a strong statement against Zimbabwe.
In the meantime, Santner will have to steer the team to a winning start in the first Test, which will be a great opportunity for him to prove his leadership skills in the longer format. The series against Zimbabwe is a significant one for New Zealand, which will be looking to build momentum ahead of the more challenging series against Australia and Pakistan later this year.
The news of Latham’s injury and Santner’s appointment as captain has sent shockwaves through the cricket world, with fans and experts alike wondering how the team will fare without their experienced captain. However, the Kiwi team has shown remarkable resilience in the past, and they will be hoping to draw on that spirit to overcome the challenges ahead.
As the series approaches, fans will be eagerly waiting to see how Santner leads the team and how the players respond to the absence of their captain. With the series starting on August 4, it will be an exciting few weeks of cricket ahead.
