A persistent back injury has forced all-rounder Corey Anderson out of the New Zealand cricket team which will play three Tests in Australia in November.
Selector Gavin Larsen said Anderson has still not recovered from the injury and could not be risked in the Australian series which begins in Brisbane on November 5. Anderson’s place in the New Zealand squad for the tour, which will include the world’s first day-night Test match, will be taken by all-rounder Mitchell Santner.
He (Anderson) hasn’t been able to recover as quickly as we hoped and we’ve chosen not to try to rush him back. We’ve always said there were a number of checkpoints for him to meet before our departure date and we’re now in a position to confirm he’s not ready.
— Gavin Larsen
The 23-year-old Santner made his international debut on New Zealand’s tour to England earlier this year, playing five one-day internationals. He bowls left-arm orthodox spin and is a sound left-hand batsman.
Mitch clearly isn’t a direct, like-for-like replacement for Corey. But in terms of the bigger picture, he’s an all-rounder who can bat at No. 6 or 7 and he’s also a frontline bowler.
— Gavin Larsen
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