Birthday special: Mitchell Santner – Top 3 performances in international cricket
New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner might not be the most eye-catching spinner in the world, but the left-arm spinner has plenty of deception and guile in his bowling to keep the batters on their toes. He has been an integral part of New Zealand’s white-ball setup and can be seen leading the side every now and then in the shortest format of the game. On the eve of the Kiwi all-rounder’s 31st birthday, we list some of his best performances for the Blackcaps.
4/31 against Australia, 2021
New Zealand took on Trans-Tasman rivals Australia in the second T20I in Dunedin after winning the series opener. The Kiwis batted first and put on a daunting total of 219 runs on a smallish ground thanks to opener Martin Guptill’s belligerent 97 off 50. Chasing a massive target, the Aussies got off to a flyer and threaten to pull off a spectacular chase, but Santner pulled things back for the hosts in the middle overs. While all the other bowlers went for plenty on a batting paradise, Santner’s brilliant 4/31 in his four overs ensured a victory for the Kiwis in a thrilling contest.
4/11 against India
New Zealand has proved to be a tough opponent for the Indians in the ICC tournaments, and it proved to be the same during their meeting in the 2016 T20 World Cup in Nagpur. The Kiwis batted first in the contest and could manage only a lowly 126 runs on a sluggish surface. The home side was the favourites heading into the chase, but New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner had other ideas. The canny spinner returned with exceptional bowling figures of 4/11 in his four overs, restricting India to a paltry 79 runs, and handing his side a comprehensive victory.
5/50 against Ireland, 2017
Hosts Ireland took on the Kiwis in the second match of the Tri-Nation Series in Dublin. The Blackcaps batted first in the match and posted a competitive 289 thanks to a strong showing from the middle-order batters. The home side got off to a rocky start in their chase, losing their openers cheaply. But a dogged century from Niall O’Brien kept them in the hunt. However, Mitchell Santner derailed their progress with a flurry of wickets to hand the Kiwis a comfortable victory by 51 runs.
