T20 WC: Is Santner Unwell? Jamieson Returns as Canada Invites NZ to Bowl?
Synopsis
In a thrilling Group D match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Canada won the toss and chose to bat against New Zealand. With key players like Mitchell Santner unwell and Lockie Ferguson absent for personal reasons, both teams are set for an exciting contest. Can Canada capitalize on the conditions?
Key Takeaways
Canada won the toss and opted to bat.
Mitchell Santner is unwell and not playing.
Lockie Ferguson is absent due to the birth of his child.
Kyle Jamieson replaces Ferguson in the New Zealand squad.
Shivam Sharma replaces Kaleem Sana in the Canadian lineup.
Chennai, Feb 17 (NationPress) Canada secured the toss and opted to bat first against New Zealand in their Group D encounter of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday.
The Kiwis made two modifications to their lineup from the last match, with regular captain Mitchell Santner feeling unwell and resting, while Lockie Ferguson had to leave the squad for the arrival of his first child.
After winning the toss, Canada’s captain Dilpreet Bajwa stated, “It appears to be a solid pitch to begin with, and as the match progresses, there might be some help for the spinners. Therefore, it’s wise to set a score and defend it. We've played a few night matches recently, so this day game is a refreshing change. I believe it favors us, especially our spinners, as the conditions should assist them later. One change- Kaleem Sana is out due to an injury, and Shivam Sharma steps in.”
On the other hand, New Zealand’s stand-in captain Michael Bracewell noted, “Mitch (Santner) isn’t feeling well today, but we hope he will be ready in 24 hours. First and foremost, we are thrilled for Lockie with the birth of his first child — that’s wonderful news — and he’ll be back shortly. In terms of the team, Kyle Jamieson replaces him, providing a like-for-like substitution, which is beneficial for us. Cole McConchie also steps in for Santner, fulfilling a very similar role. He’s eager for the opportunity. It brings unique challenges.
Several of our players have competed in numerous matches here in Chennai over the past few years, so we comprehend the conditions well. We’ll quickly evaluate the pitch and adapt as the match progresses.
Playing XIs:
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell (c), Cole McConchie, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy
Canada: Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Yuvraj Samra, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (w), Harsh Thaker, Saad Bin Zafar, Jaskaran Singh, Dilon Heyliger, Shivam Sharma, Ansh Patel
Point of View
It's imperative to note that today's match between Canada and New Zealand in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup offers an exciting opportunity for both teams. With significant changes in the Kiwis' lineup, especially the absence of Santner and Ferguson, Canada could leverage this situation. However, New Zealand's depth and experience cannot be underestimated. This match will be crucial for both sides as they vie for supremacy in Group D.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the toss in the Canada vs New Zealand match?
Canada won the toss and chose to bat first.
Why is Mitchell Santner absent from the match?
Mitchell Santner is unwell and resting for this match.
Who has replaced Lockie Ferguson in the New Zealand team?
Kyle Jamieson has replaced Lockie Ferguson in the New Zealand lineup.
What is the significance of the match for both teams?
The match is significant as both teams aim to secure points in Group D of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
What changes did Canada make to their playing XI?
Canada made one change, bringing in Shivam Sharma for the injured Kaleem Sana.
