NZ’s Williamson to miss T20 series against England

New Zealand batter Kane Williamson will miss this month’s T20 series against England but captain Mitchell Santner is back from injury to lead the Black Caps.

Williamson, who has not played international cricket since the Champions Trophy final defeat by India in March, is expected to return for the three one-day internationals against England that follow.

Santner has recovered from abdominal surgery, while all-rounder Rachin Ravindra is back after a facial injury kept him out of the recent T20 series defeat by Australia.

Williamson opted to miss the recent T20 series against Australia under the terms of his casual contract with New Zealand Cricket, while he is also returning to full fitness after a “minor medical issue”, according to coach Rob Walter.

All-rounder Santner suffered a groin injury while representing Northern Superchargers in The Hundred and has not played since.

Seam bowler Ben Sears will miss the England T20 series because of a hamstring tear, while all-rounder Jimmy Neesham has been included.

After the first two T20s at the Hagley Oval on 18 and 20 October, the series concludes at Eden Park in Auckland on 23 October.

New Zealand T20 squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Tim Seifert (wk).