New Zealand captain Tom Latham has been ruled out of the first test against Zimbabwe starting at Queens Sports Club on Wednesday.

New Zealand white-ball captain Mitch Santner will lead the team in Latham’s absence.

According to a statement by New Zealand Cricket on Tuesday, Latham injured a shoulder while fielding in a Twenty20 match in England earlier this month and has not fully recovered.

Latham will remain with the squad in the hope of being fit for the second test, which starts on August 7.

Left-arm spin bowler Santner will become New Zealand's 32nd men’s test captain. He led the white-ball team to victory in a T20 white-ball series against Zimbabwe and South Africa which ended last Saturday.

"Mitch did a wonderful job with the T20 squad," said head coach Rob Walter.

"He was excellent from a strategy point of view and he has a strong understanding of the game."