Daryl Mitchell has been ruled out of the second Test against South Africa and the upcoming T20Is against Australia due to an ongoing foot injury. The batting all-rounder has been rested from these games after experiencing discomfort recently.
However, the 32-year-old, who has become a key figure in the middle order across formats for New Zealand, is expected to regain full fitness in time for the Test series against Australia, starting on February 29.
“Daryl is a hugely important member of the squad in all three formats, and ensuring he is in the best shape is vital with the period of matches to come,” said head coach Gary Stead. “Based on the schedule ahead, we feel now is an appropriate time for Daryl to complete a period of rehabilitation.”
Will O’Rourke, who was already added to the squad for the second Test, will replace Mitchell in the group. However, it remains to be seen if he will make his debut or if New Zealand will replace Mitchell in the playing XI with Will Young.
In addition, Stead confirmed that regular skipper Kane Williamson is set to miss the three-match T20I series against Australia, while pacer Trent Boult could make a comeback.
“Kane’s wife is pregnant at the moment, so I think through the T20s it’s unlikely he will be around as well,” he said. “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.”
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