India, May 31 -- Ahead of the first Test against England, New Zealand have received a big boost as their star player Mitchell Santner has been declared fit to play at Lord's from June 4.

Santner picked up a shoulder injury in the Indian Premier League playing for Mumbai Indians. He had to leave the tournament days later. Initially, he had been ruled out of the first Test, but now, as it turns out, he has recovered just in time.

34-year-old Santner is New Zealand's white-ball captain, and earlier this year, he led his team to a runners-up finish in the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Santner brings a lot to the table. He is a fantastic left-arm spinner and can turn the complexion of the game through his batting too. He averages al...