Mumbai Indians’ Mitchell Santner, centre, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Chennai Super Kings’ Sarfaraz Khan during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 23, 2026.(AP Photo)

New Zealand have received a boost ahead of their Test series against England with the return of Mitchell Santner, who has recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered during the IPL while playing for Mumbai Indians.Santner had initially been ruled out of both the one-off Test against Ireland and the opening Test against England after scans revealed a grade-three shoulder injury that required around a month of rehabilitation.The 34-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder has now recovered and arrived in the UK on Saturday. He is set to join the New Zealand squad ahead of the first Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground, which begins on June 4.Santner suffered the injury while fielding for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. The franchise later signed Keshav Maharaj as his replacement.New Zealand head into the England series after completing an innings victory over Ireland in less than three days. Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner played key roles with the ball, while Daryl Mitchell also contributed with his medium pace.Fast bowler Matt Henry missed the Ireland Test because of a minor hamstring strain. He has travelled to London along with Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke to prepare for the England series.England will begin the series without playing a Test since the Ashes ended in January.