Tom Latham of New Zealand Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Black Caps Test captain Tom Latham has been ruled out of tonight's first Test against Zimbabwe with a shoulder injury, with white-ball captain Mitch Santner to lead the team.
Latham suffered the injury while fielding during a T20 match for the Birmingham Bears earlier this month and has not recovered sufficiently to be included in the eleven on Wednesday.
He will remain with the squad with the hope he will be fit for the second Test starting August 7.
Santner, who has 30 Test caps, will become New Zealand's 32nd men's Test captain.
Santner assumes the role fresh off a T20I Tri-Series victory in Harare where New Zealand remained undefeated throughout the five-match series.
Head coach Rob Walter said Latham's skillset and leadership would be greatly missed.
"It's hugely disappointing for Tom to be missing the first Test, as captain but also as an integral part of the team," said Walter.
"It's never great when you lose your captain, who's a world-class opening batter and a great team man, but that said we're going to work really hard to have him available for the second Test.
"We'll continue to assess and see whether a replacement player is necessary, but at this stage we are hopeful that he'll recover in time."
Walter said the team was in good hands with Santner.
"Mitch did a wonderful job with the T20 squad in this recent series. He was excellent from a strategy point of view, and he has a strong understanding of the game.
"Whilst the format is different, he certainly has the respect of the players and will be supported by some highly experienced Test cricketers, so I trust that he's going to do a great job."
Zimbabwe v BLACKCAPS Test Schedule
1st Test - July 30 - August 3 - Bulawayo - 8pm NZT
2nd Test - August 7 - August 11 - Bulawayo - 8pm NZT
