Mitchell Santner Appointed Interim Captain for New Zealand's Sri Lanka Tour; Smith and Hay Earn First Call-Ups

Mitchell Santner has been appointed as New Zealand's interim captain for their upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, confirmed by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Tuesday. Leading a 15-member squad, Santner will oversee two T20 internationals and three One Day Internationals next month. Notably, this squad marks the first international call-ups for bowling allrounder Nathan Smith and wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay. A decision regarding the long-term captaincy for ODIs and T20Is will be made later this summer.

Nathan Smith, 25, was recently honored as NZC's Men's Domestic Player of the Year during the New Zealand Cricket Awards in March and secured his first central contract last month. Last season, he took 24 wickets in domestic white-ball competitions for Wellington, with a standout performance of 4 for 5 against Otago in the Super Smash. Mitchell Hay, who debuted for New Zealand A last year, was recognized as Canterbury's Male Player of the Year in April.

Lockie Ferguson will lead the pace attack, joined by Smith, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, and Josh Clarkson. Tim Robinson earns a second call-up after a promising debut on the international stage during a tour to Pakistan in April.

The squad also features spin-bowling allrounders Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips, alongside Santner, with Dean Foxcroft providing useful off-spin options. Legspinner Ish Sodhi stands out as the most experienced T20I player in the team, boasting 117 caps.

Batting depth is reinforced by Glenn Phillips, Will Young, and Henry Nicholls, with Nicholls expected to play a crucial role.