Kiwi debutant Mitchell Santner silences Australian sledging

Mitchell Santner will play two Tests against Sri Lanka in December

Mitchell Santner, the New Zealander who made his Test debut at Adelaide, was welcomed by Aussies in their typical style, sledging. The 23-year-old wasn’t taken aback, rather he came up with a perfect reply.

Talking about the incident Santner said to Stuff.co.nz, “(Nathan) Lyon said straight away 'are you nervous?' and I was like 'ah, yeah', and that kind of stopped the convo. I was obviously nervous inside and I tried not to show it. Once that first ball went for four it was a bit easier.”

The cricketer from Hamilton started his Test career in style, with a first ball boundary. “I was obviously nervous inside. I was just trying not to show it. Once that first ball went for four it was a bit easier. I tried to just keep it as simple as possible out there, and just try and treat it as another game,” he said.

The 23-year-old scored 31 and 45 runs in two innings. He bagged the wickets of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh as well. Talking about the debutant, Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum said, “I thought he was outstanding. You always hope when a guy makes his debut he'll be quite unflappable. He is the most laid-back bloke I've ever seen make his debut.”

Vettori was my idol: Santner

Though Santner wishes to be a genuine allrounder, he wants to wait for a few more games before he calls himself that. He said, “It depends on if I'm getting runs or wickets, what I call myself. I'd like to be a genuine allrounder, to contribute with both bat and ball would be good. It depends how you're going, but in the long run I'd like to be that genuine No 5 or 6 batter and also bowl.”

Kiwi great Daniel Vettori had inspired him to switch from medium pacer to left-arm spinner. Talking about his idol Santner said, “Daniel Vettori was a massive part, watching him growing up. He was my idol, I wanted to be like him so he did have a significant impact growing up and the way I bowl now. I was lucky enough to play a couple of games with him in my first season for the Knights and that taught me a lot just being around him and the way he goes about things progressed my game.”

Jimmy Neesham and Corey Anderson will have to be kept out of the team owing to back stress fractures. This, combined with Santner’s performance in his debut match has got him a place in the team for two matches against Sri Lanka in December.