Coach backs allrounder Santner

He slipped from the perch last season, but Mitchell Santner has his New Zealand cricket coach’s backing as test spinner and potential top allrounder this summer.

Black Caps coach Mike Hesson returned home happy with their work in India, after six run defeats in both ODI and Twenty20 deciders, the latter costing the tourists their world No 1 ranking.

Now it’s back in whites for the first time since the gripping South Africa series in March, when West Indies arrive for the first of two tests in Wellington on December 1.

Hesson admitted it was the easiest test squad to pick for some time, and with the exception of the retired Jeetan Patel there will be minimal, if any, changes.

Patel usurped Santner as captain Kane Williamson’s preferred spin option against South Africa but after impressing with bat and ball in India, Santner is again the go-to in all formats.

‘‘Without doubt. He’s been a regular and really important member of our test squad and made some very good contributions,’’ Hesson said.

‘‘I’m really pleased with the way he came on with the bat on this tour. It’s an area we’ve asked him to step up in. We know he’s got plenty of talent with the bat and last year didn’t show as much as we know he can.’’

From 15 tests Santner averages 26 with the bat and has 31 wickets at 39 with his left-arm spin; tidy but not yet worldbeating. On grassy December pitches in Wellington and Hamilton spin will only be seen fleetingly but with the bat at No 7, with BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme either side, Santner can show his worth.

De Grandhomme was disappointing in India, particularly with the ball, but after his all-round efforts against South Africa he’ll again be preferred to Jimmy Neesham who Hesson wants to see dominate domestic cricket and may get some white ball opportunities in January.

Hesson said his entire India tour squad, with the possible exception of Adam Milne who was bed-ridden by illness this week, would return for Plunket Shield next Wednesday.

Gloveman Watling missed the last two shield rounds with a hip injury but Hesson said he was pain-free and likely to play next week.

ODI openers Colin Munro and Martin Guptill are keen to press their test claims and Hesson said both were likely to play for New Zealand A against West Indies on November 25-27 at Lincoln. Guptill will likely bat No 4 for Auckland.