March 14 (CRICKETNMORE) - New Zealand's spin-bowling all-rounder, Mitchell Santner has been ruled out of cricket for a period of six to nine months after a scan revealed he will require surgery on his right knee.

The 26-year-old had a scan during the recent T20I tri-series against Australia and England which revealed a bone defect, and a follow-up scan has shown the problem has worsened and will need surgery to be fixed. 

Santner will be operated on this week, with a long period of rehabilitation to follow.