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Black Caps batsman Kane Williamson will be unavailable for this month's T20 series against England however captain Mitchell Santner has returned from injury to captain New Zealand's team

The experienced batsman, who has not played international cricket after the Champions Trophy final loss to the Indian team in March, is projected to return for the upcoming three ODI matches versus England that follow

Team Updates

Santner is now fit after undergoing abdominal surgery, whereas versatile player Rachin Ravindra returns to the squad after an injury to his face prevented his participation of the recent T20 series defeat by the Australian team

This three-game T20 series between the Black Caps and England begins in Christchurch this coming Saturday, October 18th

Player Availability

The top-order batsman decided against playing in the previous Twenty20 matches against the Australian side as per the agreement of his casual contract with New Zealand Cricket, and he is also returning to full fitness after a "minor medical issue", according to coach the team management

All-rounder the skipper experienced a groin injury while representing his franchise team in The Hundred and has not played since that time

Pace bowler Ben Sears will be unavailable for the upcoming England Twenty20 matches because of a hamstring tear, whereas all-rounder Jimmy Neesham returns to the team

Series Schedule

Following the initial pair of Twenty20 matches in Christchurch this weekend, the competition wraps up in Auckland next Wednesday

Squad Lists

New Zealand Twenty20 team: Mitchell Santner (c), Bracewell, Chapman, Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Henry, Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Neesham, Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Seifert as wicketkeeper

English T20 squad: Brook leading, Ahmed, Baker, Banton, Bethell, Jos Buttler (wk), Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Dawson, Overton, Rashid, Phil Salt, Wood