New Zealand have received a significant boost ahead of their Test series against England with the return of Mitchell Santner, who has fully recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained during the Indian Premier League while playing for Mumbai Indians.
Santner had initially been ruled out of both the one-off Test against Ireland and the opening Test against England after scans revealed a grade-three shoulder injury that required approximately one month of rehabilitation. The 34-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder has now regained full fitness and arrived in the United Kingdom on Saturday. He is expected to join the New Zealand squad ahead of the first Test at Lord's Cricket Ground, which commences on June 4.
The injury occurred while Santner was fielding for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Subsequently, the franchise signed Keshav Maharaj as his replacement for the remainder of the tournament.
New Zealand head into the England series on the back of a comprehensive innings victory over Ireland, completed in less than three days. Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner were instrumental with the ball, while Daryl Mitchell also provided valuable contributions with his medium pace.
Fast bowler Matt Henry missed the Ireland Test due to a minor hamstring strain. He has traveled to London alongside Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke to prepare for the England series. England, meanwhile, will begin the series without having played a Test since the Ashes ended in January.
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