WORCESTERSHIRE 2016 NatWest T20 Blast overseas player Mitchell Santner has been included in the New Zealand squad for the ICC World T20 tournament in India next month.

Left armer Santner is one of three spinners named in the Black Caps 15 strong squad along with leg spinner Ish Sodhi and off-spinner Nathan McCullum.

The all-rounder made his T2OI debut against England at Old Trafford last June and last month featured in four matches - one against Sri Lanka and three against Pakistan.

Santer's five T20I's have brought him seven wickets at 14.57 runs apiece at an economy rate of 6.37.

He is set to arrive at New Road in mid May for the T20 Blast programme.

But another of the County's 2016 overseas signings, paceman Matt Henry, has not been chosen in the New Zealand squad.

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson sees Santner playing an important role during the initial six over powerplay.

He said: "With the Indian conditions in mind, the plan has always been to take three front-line spinners and all three bring something different.

"It's great to have Nathan available again and his experience in the foreign conditions will be invaluable.

"Both he and Mitch Santner have the ability to bowl in the first six overs, which gives Kane (Williamson) a number of options to work with."

Former Worcestershire duo, batsman Colin Munro and paceman Mitchell McClenaghan have also been included.

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (capt), Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Colin Munro, Luke Ronchi (wk), Mitchell Santner, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi.

New Zealand are in a second-round pool alongside Australia, Pakistan, India and the winner of the qualifying pool played among Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands and Oman.

Their first match will be in Nagpur against India on March 15.