Santner joins Worcestershire for T20s

Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand allrounder, has joined Worcestershire as one of their overseas players for this summer's NatWest T20 Blast competition.

Santner, 23, made a good impression on New Zealand's tour of England last year, with returns of 44 from 19 balls and bowling figures of 3 for 31 in consecutive ODIs at Trent Bridge and Durham.

He will arrive at New Road in mid-May for the start of the T20 Blast, where will be reunited with compatriot and paceman Matt Henry, who will be with the county for the first half of the campaign from early April until late June.

Santner's left arm-spin could form a potent slow-bowling combination with Brett D'Oliveira in the T20 format. However, his fielding and hard-hitting batting will be every bit as important. He recently earned a recall to the Test team in Sri Lanka, where he batted at No. 6.

"To have an overseas player with three strings to his bow will be a huge bonus to our T20 Blast ambitions," said Steve Rhodes, Worcestershire's director of cricket. "He is a genuine left-arm spinner so he will give our bowling terrific balance and his athletic fielding will add to an already good fielding squad.

"We all look forward to working with Mitch through the T20 campaign."

Santner, who plays first-class cricket for Northern Districts, said: "It has been a breakthrough time for me in terms of New Zealand but I am always keen to develop my game and am looking forward to my first taste of county cricket.

"Worcestershire had a good run in the T20 last season in reaching the quarter-finals and I hope I can play my part in helping them to enjoy another successful tournament.

"The club has had several New Zealand players in its ranks in recent years and I hope to make a positive contribution with ball and bat."