WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids have signed New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner as one of their overseas players for this summer’s NatWest T20 Blast competition.
The 23-year-old broke into the Black Caps side in all formats of the game during 2015.
Santner will link up at New Road in mid May for the start of the T20 Blast and will be reunited with compatriot and paceman Matt Henry, who will be with the county for the first half of the campaign from early April until late June.
Hamilton-born Santner bowls left arm-spin and will join forces with Brett D’Oliveira in the slow bowling department at New Road for the short format of the game.
But he is also a hard-hitting batsman and occupied the number six role for his country in the recent Test series against Sri Lanka as well as being an excellent fielder.
Santner also played all five ODIs against Sri Lanka and on Sunday returned 2-24 against them in the opening T20I.
Worcestershire Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes is delighted to have secured the services of Santner who has taken over the T20 overseas slot from fellow Kiwi Colin Munro.
Rhodes said: “To have an overseas player with three strings to his bow will be a huge bonus to our T20 Blast ambitions.
“He presently plays all formats for New Zealand and bats in the top six.
“He is a genuine left arm spinner so he will give our bowling terrific balance and his athletic fielding will add to an already good fielding squad.
“We all look forward to working with Mitch through the T20 campaign.”
Santner, who plays first class cricket for Northern Districts, made his ODI and T20I debut for New Zealand during last summer’s tour of England at Edgbaston and Emirates Old Trafford respectively.
His initial Test breakthough came in November against Australia at Adelaide.
Santner said: “It has been a breakthrough time for me in terms of New Zealand but I am always keen to develop my game and am looking forward to my first taste of county cricket.
“Worcestershire had a good run in the T20 last season in reaching the quarter-finals and I hope I can play my part in helping them to enjoy another successful tournament.
“The club has had several New Zealand players in its ranks in recent years and I hope to make a positive contribution with ball and bat.”