Latham Ruled Out of Zimbabwe Test

New Zealand’s Test captain, Tom Latham, will miss the first Test against Zimbabwe, set to begin on Wednesday at Queens Sports Club, due to a shoulder injury.

The injury, sustained while fielding in a Twenty20 match in England earlier this month, has not fully recovered, New Zealand Cricket confirmed on Tuesday.

Latham will remain with the squad, aiming to be fit for the second Test starting on August 7.

In Latham’s absence, white-ball captain Mitch Santner will step up to lead the team, becoming New Zealand’s 32nd men’s Test captain.

Santner recently guided the white-ball squad to victory in a T20 series against Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Head coach Rob Walter praised Santner’s leadership, noting he “did a wonderful job with the T20 squad” and possesses “a strong understanding of the game.”