New Zealand have added Mitchell Santner to their Test squad to take on England after he recovered from a shoulder injury sustained while playing for Mumbai Indians at the IPL. Santner arrived in the UK on Saturday and will link up with the touring group ahead of the first Test, starting at Lord's on Thursday.
Santner, 34, had previously been ruled out of the first of three Tests against England, as well as the one-off Test against Ireland in Belfast, after scans revealed a "grade three ACL shoulder injury" that would need a month's rehab.
New Zealand had said he would be monitored with a view to joining the squad for the second and third Tests, at The Oval and Trent Bridge. However, he will now take the place of spinning allrounder Dean Foxcroft, who made 98 on debut against Ireland but is set to return home early.
New Zealand beat Ireland by an innings inside three days earlier this week, with Nathan Smith taking eight wickets and Blair Tickner six; Foxcroft only bowled one over, while Daryl Mitchell chipped in with his medium-pace. Matt Henry missed the game with a low-grade hamstring strain, instead flying to London to prepare for the England series alongside Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke.
They will be coming up against an England side that has not played since the Ashes concluded in January, with their coach, former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, looking to revitalise fortunes in the manner he achieved four years ago, when the Black Caps were swept aside 3-0.