NZ boosted by Santner's return for England Tests

New Zealand have been boosted by the return of all-rounder Mitchell Santner for the Test series against England starting at Lord's on Thursday.

Santner, 34, the Black Caps' white-ball captain and key spinner, was initially ruled out of the first Test by a shoulder injury suffered last month in the Indian Premier League.

New Zealand had hoped he would recover for the second or third Tests but he will now join the squad before the first Test next week.

All-rounder Dean Foxcroft, who received his first call-up as cover, will return home.

New Zealand beat Ireland by an innings and 79 runs in this week's one-off Test in Stormont.

They already have a strong bowling line-up featuring seamers Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke, Kyle Jamieson and Blair Tickner with Santner's return a further boost.

He has taken 78 wickets in his 32 Tests and also made his one Test century against England in 2019.

New Zealand squad to play England: Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears (traveling reserve), Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young