Black Caps v India: Captain Mitchell Santner cleared of serious injury after fall in first T20

The Black Caps are confident white ball captain Mitchell Santner will be fit for the rest of the five-match Twenty20 series against India, despite worries of a neck injury or concussion suffered in Thursday’s opening game.

The 34-year-old left the field temporarily in New Zealand’s four-wicket defeat at Hagley Oval, after falling awkwardly attempting to take a catch off the bowling of Lockie Ferguson.

Santner struggled with what appeared to be a neck issue and made way to receive treatment, but returned to complete his four-over spell, and lead the Black Caps to a last-over loss in the tour opener, as Daryl Mitchell captained in his absence.

But after being assessed by Black Caps medical staff on Friday, Santner has been cleared of any serious injury, but will remain under observation before game two at the same venue on Saturday.

“[Mitchell] Santner was treated by the doctor last night and received physio treatment today,” a team spokesperson told the Herald. “He’s pulled up well and is not presenting any concussion-like symptoms. He’ll continue to be monitored.”