Surrey sign New Zealand white-ball skipper Mitchell Santner for 2025 Vitality Blast
Surrey have signed New Zealand white-ball skipper Mitchell Santner for the 2025 Vitality Blast.
The left-arm spinner will be available for the first eight fixtures of the competition as well as being available for the knockout phase if Surrey are successful in qualifying from the group stage.
Santner will be available for the Three Feathers for the first time as Surrey take on Somerset in Taunton in a double header to kick off the competition on Friday 30 May.
Surrey fans will get their first chance to see the allrounder in action at the Kia Oval on Thursday 5 June against Hampshire. Santner’s initial stint will end with the London Derby at the Kia Oval as Surrey take on Middlesex on Friday 20 June.
The 32-year-old will then join up with the national team for their tour of Zimbabwe, missing the remaining group stage fixtures. Santner will be available in September for the knockout stages if the club have qualified from the groups.
Santner was named white-ball captain for the Black Caps in 2024 and currently sits in third place among the all-time IT20 wicket-takers for his country. Santner is also a valuable lower-order batter with more than 2,000 international white-ball runs to his name.
The Kiwi is a highly experienced T20 cricketer and was part of the 2023 Chennai Super Kings side who won the IPL that year and has represented both the Southern Brave and the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred, as well stints at Worcestershire in 2016, 2017 and 2023.
Alec Stewart, high performance cricket advisor at Surrey CCC, said: “Mitch will bring quality and experience to the Surrey side. He’s a proven international cricketer who plays T20 cricket all over the world and has built an excellent skillset.”
Mitchell Santner said: “I’m really looking forward to connecting with the players and coaching staff at Surrey. I’ve heard quality things about the environment and have thoroughly enjoyed playing at the Kia Oval previously.
“I’ve been fortunate to play against many of the squad so it will be great to share the same changing room and play some entertaining cricket.”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD