Mitchell Santner tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of Ireland tour

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of the Ireland tour as New Zealand Cricket(NZC) announced on Sunday. The spin-bowling all-rounder would miss flight after testing positive on Friday. He will be cleared to travel later in the week once he tests negative ahead of the series opener that begins on Sunday (July 10). Santner is leading the T20 team for a series against Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands:

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 He was one of four players, along with Martin Guptill, Ish Sodhi, and Adam Milne, set to fly out for the three-game ODI series in Malahide, which begins next Sunday.

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

Mitchel Santner said

Santner will still aim to link up with the squad ahead of the first match of the series, pending negative tests later in the week.

The 30-year-old is then set to take over from Tom Latham as captain for the three T20s against Ireland, two T20s and ODI against Scotland, and two T20s against the Netherlands.

"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."

"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."

New Zealand Cricket(NZC) said

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Shane Jurgensen, who is the head coach for the Ireland tour while Gary Stead takes a break, said Santner was experiencing minor symptoms and his availability for the series would be determined once he arrives in Dublin.

NZ squad for Ireland, Netherlands, and Scotland series

Tom Latham (Captain)
Finn Allen
Michael Bracewell
Dane Cleaver
Jacob Duffy
Lockie Ferguson
Martin Guptill
Matt Henry
Adam Milne
Henry Nicholls
Glenn Phillips
Mitchell Santner
Ish Sodhi
Blair Tickner
Will Young

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Joining after Ireland matches: Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Michael Rippon, Ben Sears