Worcestershire sign New Zealand's Mitchell Santner for T20 Blast

Worcestershire have signed New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner as one of their overseas players for next summer's NatWest T20 Blast.

Santner, 23, broke into the New Zealand side in all formats last year. He will arrive at New Road in May and link up with Black Caps team-mate Matt Henry, who is with the county for the first half of the Championship campaign.

Santner bowls left-arm spin and is a hard-hitting batsman who has batted as high as No 6 for the Kiwis in Test cricket.

He played in all five of his country's ODI matches with Sri Lanka recently and is also a fine fielder.

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: "To have an overseas player with three strings to his bow will be a huge bonus to our T20 Blast ambitions.

"He presently plays all formats for New Zealand and bats in the top six. He is a genuine left-arm spinner so he will give our bowling terrific balance and his athletic fielding will add to an already good fielding squad.

"We all look forward to working with Mitch through the T20 campaign."

Santner said: "It has been a breakthrough time for me in terms of New Zealand but I am always keen to develop my game and am looking forward to my first taste of county cricket.

"Worcestershire had a good run in the T20 last season in reaching the quarter-finals and I hope I can play my part in helping them to enjoy another successful tournament.

"The club has had several New Zealand players in its ranks in recent years and I hope to make a positive contribution with ball and bat."