IRE v NZ 2022 | Mitchell Santner recovers from Covid-19; available for selection for 2nd ODI

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner has recovered from Covid-19 and will be available for selection for the 2nd ODI against Ireland at The Village in Malahide.

Santner had tested positive for the deadly contagion on July 03 and was subsequently forced to stay back as his teammates flew to Malahide to take on the hosts in the first ODI of the three-match series.

Having completely recovered from the virus, Santner linked up with the BlackCaps squad ahead of the second ODI on Tuesday.

The BlackCaps official Twitter handle confirmed the same as they wrote:

"After a delayed arrival due to Covid-19, Mitchell Santner will be available for selection in ODI 2 today at Malahide," 

Santner will take over the leadership duties of the New Zealand team from stand-in ODI skipper Tom Latham following the culmination of the series for the forthcoming T20I rubber.

The T20I series will take place between July 18-22 in Belfast.

Meanwhile, New Zealand will be looking to put up an improved show against a strong Irish team on Tuesday following their epic jailbreak in the first game, thanks to a record-breaking knock from Michael Bracewell.

The wicketkeeper-batsman smashed an unbeaten 127* off just 82 deliveries, including 30 in the final over, to pull off a sensational one-wicket heist after the tourists were reduced to 5-120.

That said, Ireland were clearly the best side on the day, dominating most parts of the game with both bat and ball. However, their lack of experience and a great knock from Bracewell proved to be their undoing.

The home side will take lessons from the heartbreak they suffered on Sunday, while the Latham-led unit will look to put on a more clinical show and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.