The bowling all-rounder will lead NZ in the third T20I against WI.
New Zealand and West Indies will lock horns in a T20I and Test bilateral series starting from Friday, November 27 in Auckland. The Kiwis will be led by Tim Southee for the first two T20Is as Kane Williamson and Trent Boult have been rested before the Test series.
However, senior pros like Southee and Ross Taylor will not be available for the third T20I and thus young left-arm all-rounder Mitchell Santner has got an opportunity to captain the home side at Mount Maunganui.
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Santner is excited for the opportunity to lead the side as he believes getting to play for the country in itself is a privilege let alone to lead.
Mitchell Santner said in a virtual press conference, "Yeah, it's pretty cool obviously. It's a privilege to play for your country, let alone captain it. Definitely very excited for the opportunity and looking forward to catching up with the boys tomorrow and joining them in Auckland."
He also expressed a desire to get such opportunities to lead New Zealand again if the seniors are unavailable. He is positive of leading his country again as a packed scheduled due to the two T20 World Cups will ensure that the players will have to be rotated.
"I guess with the schedule we've got, we're obviously looking forward to the back-to-back World Cups coming up. I guess there's going to be a little bit of rotation with the Test boys coming and going. So, gives me an opportunity in the future if the other guys aren't available as well," Santner concluded.
(With inputs from Cricbuzz)