CHENNAI: Mild-mannered Mitch Santner rarely hogs the limelight in the New Zealand team but the all-rounder has made a big noise at the World Cup, taking a screamer of a catch against Afghanistan and a milestone 100th ODI wicket.
Santner’s haul of 3-39 helped the Black Caps thrash the Afghans by 149 runs and continue his side’s perfect start to the global showpiece.
On the way, he became the second New Zealand spinner to reach 100 wickets in the format, following in the footsteps of his idol, Daniel Vettori.
Santner has work to do to catch Vettori, who retired with 305 ODI victims.
“Yeah, it’s obviously nice to get to that milestone,” the 31-year-old told reporters of the 100 club.
“I guess I wasn’t thinking about it too much leading into the game. It’s just [about] trying to perform my role out there just like every other game.
“I think I’m 200 odd wickets behind (Vettori), so it’s going to be a tough challenge to get there.”
With 11 wickets so far, Santner tops the bowling at the World Cup ahead of team-mate Matt Henry (nine). More accustomed to toiling on New Zealand’s pace-friendly pitches, it is not often Santner gets to outshine the seamers.
“It’s obviously nice to come here and see the ball spin a little bit,” he said.
Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2023
