Mitchell Santner tests Covid positive ahead of Ireland Tour

The Black Caps have been hit with bad news just weeks before their tour of Ireland. Skipper Mitchell Santer is the next name on the list of players who have tested positive for Covid-19.

The squad is set to fly out to Dublin on Sunday, July 3 (Sunday). However, Santner will be at home and is not expected to be available for the entire series. 

The series consists of 3 ODIs and as many T20Is. Dublin has been announced as the host for the 50-over matches. At the same time, Belfast will be the host to the fixtures of the shortest format. 

The matches will be played from July 10 to 22. This will undoubtedly be a race against time for the 30-year-old to recover from Covid and return to the team. 

Kiwi team's head coach Shane Jurgensen has reckoned that the all-rounder will only be available to feature in the series, given he's match-fit. 

"Covid has been a challenge and will continue to be in the future, and we will adapt accordingly, contingencies are always in place," Jurgensen said.

"He's feeling OK, and the priority will be getting him into camp with us. Hopefully, later in the week to assess where he's at and when he may be ready to play,"

Jurgenson has hinted that the team management will not be rushing for Santner's availability. Instead, the team wants him fit for the West Indies Tour in August. The tour entails six limited-overs matches. 

"We've got 11 games across the three tours and another tour to follow against the West Indies in August, which Mitch will be involved with, so we certainly won't be looking to rush him."

Santner was recently named the T20I skipper. At the same time, top-order batter Tom Latham is in-charge of the duties for the 50-overs format. 

It can be a toss-up between Martin Guptill or Daryl Mitchell to lead the team in the place of Santner.