New Zealand will be without regular skipper Tom Latham for the opening Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, starting July 30, due to a shoulder injury. In his absence, Mitchell Santner has been named stand-in captain, becoming the 32nd player to lead the Black Caps in men’s Test cricket.
Latham picked up the injury while fielding in a T20 Blast match for Birmingham Bears earlier this month and hasn’t recovered in time for the series opener. However, he will remain with the squad, aiming to regain fitness ahead of the second Test.
Never great to lose your captain: NZ Head Coach
“It’s hugely disappointing for Tom (Latham) to be missing the first Test, as captain but also as an integral part of the team,” head coach Rob Walter said. “It’s never great when you lose your captain, who’s a world-class opening batter and a great team man, but that said we’re going to work really hard to have him available for the second Test. We’ll continue to assess and see whether a replacement player is necessary, but at this stage we are hopeful that he’ll recover in time.”
This is the second injury setback ahead of the series, with Glenn Phillips earlier ruled out. Michael Bracewell has been added to the squad for the first Test only.
The Kiwis head into the Test series riding high on confidence after an unbeaten run in the recent T20I tri-series in Harare, which they won under Santner’s leadership.
“Mitch did a wonderful job with the T20 squad in this recent series,” Walter said. “He was excellent from a strategy point of view, and he has a strong understanding of the game. Whilst the format is different, he certainly has the respect of the players and will be supported by some highly experienced Test cricketers, so I trust that he’s going to do a great job.”
With Latham unavailable, Devon Conway is expected to open alongside Will Young.
The second and final Test will begin on August 7, giving Latham time to recover and potentially return to the XI.
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