Friday, 27 November 2015, was a historic day in international cricket as fans around the world witnessed the first day-night Test, with Australia and New Zealand locking horns at the Adelaide Oval.
For New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner it was an even bigger occasion – the New Zealand all-rounder was making his Test debut. From being New Zealand’s second spinner on debut, Santner has become New Zealand’s frontline spinner in Test cricket.
Come January 2020 and Santner has played 23 Tests, but his numbers as a spinner are not convincing. In 38 innings Santner has picked up 41 wickets at an average of 43.97, a strike rate of 95 and with no five-wicket hauls till date. Worryingly, Santner has picked up only 84 wickets in 53 first-class games with a best bowling figure of 4-111.
Here are Santner’s numbers as a sole spinner and how he has also fared with a spin duo and spin trio.
| Configuraton | Total | Average | Strike rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lone spinner | 23/1056 | 45.91 | 98.22 |
| Spin duo (per Test) | 13/568 | 43.69 | 100.61 |
| Spin trio (overall) | 5/173 | 38.6 | 66.4 |
Santner’s numbers, whether as a lone spinner or playing alongside other spinners, scream that he’s a Test match-quality spinner. At times Santner has found himself out of the Black Caps Test side when available, with either Mark Craig, Ajaz Patel or Jeetan Patel opted as New Zealand’s lone spinner or an extra seam bowling option at his expense.
What was worrying for Santner was how woeful he was when the Black Caps toured Australia last summer. He never applies any pressure to the Australian side or picked off wickets at crucial stages when the Kiwis were under the pump.
So who should replace Santner? Simple: either Ajaz Patel or William Somerville. The duo made their debuts in the UAE against Pakistan in 2018, playing a crucial part in spinning New Zealand to a series victory. Patel and Somerville both have much better first-class records than Santner.
Santner has played in only one of New Zealand’s four home Tests this summer. Had Ajaz Patel not been injured, Santner would never have been called up. But Will Somerville has shown more effectiveness as a spinner compared to Santner in the four Tests he has played so far, which is why I found it surprising to see him excluded from New Zealand’s Test squad this summer.
If the Black Caps want to replicate their home success away from New Zealand, having a wicket-taking spinner is one step towards that goal. Kane Williamson cannot always rely on his seamers to knock over oppositions, especially on flatter wickets, and will need his slower bowlers to rise up when needed.
If Santner wants to win Test matches for New Zealand, he needs to go dominate first-class cricket for a few seasons, like Ajaz Patel did for three years before head selector Gavin Larsen called him up. While he has the ability to win games for New Zealand, it’s Ajaz Patel’s time now. New Zealand cannot afford to carry passengers in their Test squad, especially with the depth that has been building in New Zealand cricket in the past few years.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Ravindra is only young (21) so could start at 6 before moving to open when more experienced.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Ravindra is quality and is going to be a better opener than Latham who can bowl decent slow left arm spin. He could bat 6 instead of CDG in the subcontinent. Jamieson is just about the 2nd name on the team sheet after Kane.
I've only just realised the said commenter was the author LOL
Micko
Roar Rookie
Clearly hasn't seen much of Jamieson then!
C’mon Micko, don’t wreck my comment by pointing out I’m making stuff up! :stoked: Actually, found one guy who sort of bracketed Jamieson with some Neville Nobody called ‘Ravindra’. See below: “Arnab BhattacharyaAuthor Roar Guru January 4th 2021 @ 2:08pm Yeah I saw him play vs Bangladesh u19 this year in the wc semis. Heard he’s been doing well in Auckland grade cricket. Regarding subcontinent these are the five bowlers I go with – CDG, Ravindra/Jamieson (depending on the pitch) Somerville, Wagner, Patel”
Micko
Roar Rookie
I don't think anyone suggested dropping Jamieson?
Can’t believe those in the comments suggesting Jamieson may have to give way to a spinner. Jamieson isn’t far away from relegating Southee or Bolt to first change. There is no way he isn’t going to be picked, even on slower sub-continent wickets. The lad is a superstar in the making and is going to help NZ win a lot of tests, even on slower wickets. I agree with this article though. Santner is not a match winning, or even match turning spinner. Patel and Sommerville are miles better. Who cares if either of those two aren’t quite as good with the bat – if you are relying on your spinner as a batsman then you have problems — NZ does not have that problem.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Yes, I'm not sure why they bother playing him even in NZ. Mind you, to be fair, he grabbed a couple of wickets at the end to help NZ win the last Test against Pakistan.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Ashok is also a real mature young man. He was deputy headboy at the school I work at this year (I only started there this year) but did have some dealings with him. Has a real love for the game and has a great cricket brain. CDG does a good job in sub-continent conditions. I think Wagner has to be there as he can bowl long spells. The way Jamieson is going would be hard to ignore him and he offers a point of difference with his height and bounce. It would be a toss up between Boult and Southee. Boult does ok in those conditions and in 2018 in the UAE, Southee only played 1 of the 3 tests from memory.
U
Roar Rookie
They don’t need a spinner in home tests and Somerville or Patel are good enough for overseas matches
Bobbo7
Guest
Exactly. It isn't like Warne is being kept out.
Micko
Roar Rookie
The kiwis have the wrong philosophy regarding a test spinner. They seem to focus more on the spinner being a handy tail end batsmen who bowls maybe up to a dozen overs an innings and keeps it tight. Picking up a wicket (or two) seems to be considered a bonus for Santner!
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
“Santner’s numbers, whether as a lone spinner or playing alongside other spinners, scream that he’s a Test match-quality spinner. “ Did the word NOT get omitted there? One thing about Santner might be his batting, with the keeper at 6 and an otherwise longish tail. But perhaps it shouldn’t be a consideration.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Yeah I saw him play vs Bangladesh u19 this year in the wc semis. Heard he's been doing well in Auckland grade cricket. Regarding subcontinent these are the five bowlers I go with - CDG, Ravindra/Jamieson (depending on the pitch) Somerville, Wagner, Patel
Carlin
Roar Rookie
I have to agree with this article even though Santner did make a good contribution in the first test against Pakistan. He is not threatening enough especially if having to bowl in a 4th innings. New Zealand's home conditions mean a spinner does not really feature in home test matches. I do think Ajaz Patel is our best option though. I was surprised last year Will Sommerville who has played first class cricket in Australia didn't go to Australia, wasn't in the original. His knowledge would have been invaluable. I know they say a spinners role in NZ is to be a holding bowler but at the end of the day you still want one who can take regular wickets. Keep an eye out for a young leg spinner called Adi Ashok who was in the NZ Under 19 team this year. He took 14 wickets in his Premier Club debut a couple of weeks after leaving school. The other conundrum NZ will face when they go to the sub-continent is how to they balance their attack? If they need 2 spinners, that means one of Boult, Southee, Wagner or Jamieson may not play.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Would be exciting to see Rippon get a call up. A left arm leg spinner is a big point of difference. On having a spin all-rounder I think Kyle Jamieson can eventually bat 7 and that would mean a focus on a specialist spinner.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Patel can play both roles well for the Blackcaps - hold up an end at home and be an attacking spinner outside of New Zealand. Same for Somerville. The duo may be in their 30s but it's better to let these two play as New Zealand's spinners while someone like Rachin Ravindra (touted as a future superstar) is allowed to play more FC cricket and be mature enough to play Tests rather than be rushed into Test cricket.
Paul
Roar Guru
You're suggesting a 32 year old is the future of spin bowling for New Zealand? I'm also not clear exactly what role a spinner plays in the current Black Caps attack? Patel or someone similar would be useful away from home but in "fortress New Zealand" the bowlers who do the most damage because of the pitch & conditions are your Southees, Boult, Jamieson & Wagner. I'd also suggest NZ has a similar issue to Australia; there's no-one bashing down the door to be selected.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Ravindra probably a year or two away from that role tbh. Seems a solid bat. The way Jamieson been batting he can bat at 7 when CDG is injured and Southee is a handy 8. You choose a bowler to win you games with the ball, not for their batting. Gary Stead screwed up by not taking Patel to Australia and showing too much loyalty to Santner. Santner was terrible and that should've been the end of his Test career. Once again when Patel got injured Stead showed loyalty to Santner again instead of calling up Somerville. New Zealand will slide down the rankings the longer they keep Santner in the side.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Also Ajaz Patel has been injured a lot this season. He has played a few domestic T20s for Central Districts, but it is much harder to play 5 days. Other options for the "Santner role" (bat 7, field well, hopefully bowl some tidy spin) in NZ conditions are Cole McConchie and Michael Rippon. If Glen Phillips (much much better batsman than those mentioned) can improve his off spinners he might be an option too.