Mitchell Santner Wins Wisden Trophy for Outstanding Test Performance

Mitchell Santner's Remarkable Achievement

New Delhi [India] - April 22: The prestigious Wisden Trophy is awarded annually to the cricketer who has showcased the most exceptional Test performance over the past year. In 2024, New Zealand's Mitchell Santner earned this honor for his impressive figures of 13 wickets for 157 runs against India in Pune, as reported on the official Wisden website.

During the Test match in October, Santner delivered what could be considered New Zealand's most significant bowling performance, achieving figures of 13-157, including 7-53 and 6-104. This remarkable feat played a crucial role in securing New Zealand's first series win in India.

His performance was reminiscent of Richard Hadlee's legendary 15-123 at Brisbane in the 1985/86 series, which remains New Zealand's best bowling analysis to date.

In addition to his bowling prowess, Santner contributed 33 vital runs in the first innings, even as wickets tumbled around him, and he notably ran out Rishabh Pant for a duck in the second Test.

What makes Santner's achievement even more impressive is that prior to this match, he had never taken more than three wickets in a single innings throughout his 28-Test career. His previous performances in white-ball cricket did not prepare him for the demands of this Test match.

New Zealand had faced a challenging history in India, with only two wins and 17 losses in twelve previous tours. However, they celebrated a remarkable 3-0 series victory, a feat that had not been accomplished by any team in India since the dominant West Indies team of 1983-84.

This match marked Santner's only appearance in the series, adding to his growing legacy. He was initially overlooked in the opening Test in Bengaluru in favor of Glenn Phillips and Ajaz Patel, and a side strain kept him out of the Mumbai Test.

Mitchell Santner, a left-handed batsman and left-arm spinner, first made his mark in the New Zealand team following a standout domestic season in 2014-15. He was included in the one-day squad for the England tour after Daniel Vettori's retirement post-World Cup, as New Zealand sought a new left-arm spin option.

He made his Test debut later that year in the inaugural day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide. Across all formats, the Kiwi all-rounder has accumulated 3,229 runs in 257 matches, including one century and eight fifties, while also taking 320 wickets with best figures of 7/53 against India.