Islamabad - Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner will miss New Zealand's first Test against Pakistan at home after suffering a fractured wrist while training for a domestic game.
Santner was struck on the wrist during a Northern Districts
practice session ahead of their Plunket Shield clash with Canterbury.
New Zealand Cricket issued a press release indicating the
spinner had undergone x-rays on the injury which revealed a fracture.
Black Caps coach Mike Hesson remarked: "After such a
strong tour of India, it's really disappointing for Mitch to pick up this injury
ahead of the first match of the home summer.
"We're unsure whether Mitch will be available for the
second Test at this stage, but we'll be monitoring his recovery closely and
look forward to having him back."
Santner was consistently among New Zealand's best bowlers
throughout their winter schedule and ended the Test series in India as the
Black Caps joint highest wicket-taker, sharing the honour with pace spearhead
Trent Boult.
Santner was the most economical of the Black Caps bowlers at the end of the tightly contested five match ODI series in India and was singled out by skipper Kane Williamson as a key player in the Kiwi attack.
Williamson had said: "He has been outstanding. Although
conditions are favourable to spinners here there are a lot of spinners who come
here and struggle.
"Mitch has performed day in and day out. His change of pace and his ability to spin the ball was a great asset to have. Not to mention his batting and his fielding as well."