Daryl Mitchell sidelined for second test, Australian T20Is

Thursday, 8 February 2024

Touring side get nowhere near their target of 529 as the hosts win on the fourth day at Bay Oval.

Daryl Mitchell will miss the second test against South Africa and the T20I series against Australia in an attempt to allow an ongoing foot injury to heal.

It was hoped recent periods of rest, including sitting out the fifth T20I against Pakistan and the Super Smash Finals, would allow the injury to improve, but with Mitchell still experiencing discomfort it was decided a focused period of rehabilitation was necessary.

“Daryl’s been battling a foot injury for the last six or seven months,” said Black Caps head coach Gary Stead.

“After seeking medical advice … it's likely he needs a longer period of time. It's tough, because there's not a lot of breaks coming up in the next wee while.

“This gives us nearly three weeks to try and give him the chance of the best recuperation from it anyway. There's no guarantees this will still work in that period of time, but we're very hopeful that it will certainly improve his chances of getting through a longer stint with us.”

Canterbury fast bowler Will O’Rourke will join the second test squad in Hamilton as planned, but Mitchell’s withdrawal means all remaining members of the squad from the first test at Bay Oval will now travel to Hamilton.

Black Caps batter Daryl Mitchell has been ruled out of the second test against South Africa with a foot issue.

Stead said the decision was based on a long-term view to ensure Mitchell is fully fit for the two-test series against Australia starting on February 29 in Wellington.

Twenty20 captain Kane Williamson is also set to miss the three-game series against a strong Australian squad.

“Kane's wife is pregnant at the moment, so I think through the T20s it's unlikely he will be around as well,” Stead said in Mount Maunganui on Thursday morning.

The coach said un-contracted pace bowler Trent Boult could come into consideration for the T20Is versus Australia.

“Trent's available if we want to select him - him and I are still having conversations, but from a selection point of view, we're going through that at the moment and hopeful in the next couple of days we can nail down what that looks like.”

The Black Caps travel to Hamilton on Saturday morning ahead of the second test against South Africa which starts at Seddon Park on Tuesday.

AT A GLANCE:

Black Caps squad for second test: Tim Southee (c), Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Neil Wagner, Will O’Rourke.