ENG vs NZ: Kumar Sangakkara Praises Daryl Mitchell's Work Ethic

After Daryl Mitchell’s outstanding Test performances against England, Sri Lankan icon and Rajasthan Royals (RR) director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara lauded Mitchell’s work ethic.

Mitchell participated in IPL 2022 as a member of the RR team. Sangakkara was quite pleased with the Kiwi cricketer’s passion and attention to the game, despite the fact that he only participated in a few matches and had little influence.

The Hard Work Daryl Mitchell Put During The IPL It Was Top Class: Kumar Sangakkara

The legendary Lankan cricketer disclosed the following about Mitchell’s time with RR during Sky Sports commentary on Day 1 of the third Test between England and New Zealand at Headingley:

“He carried his iPad to every team meeting, took notes and asked questions. It wasn’t asking questions for the sake of asking questions, he was heavily involved. The way he carried himself, in a bio-bubble for over two months, the hard work he put in at the nets despite playing two matches, it was top-class.”

At stumps on Day 1 of the third Test against New Zealand at Headingley in Leeds, Mitchell was undefeated on 78 from 159 balls. As the Kiwis rallied from 123 for five to reach 225 for five before stumps, the in-form batsman and Tom Blundell (45* off 108) shared a 102-run sixth-wicket stand without being dismissed.

For New Zealand, Mitchell and Blundell have been the series’ star performers, but the visitors have struggled as a result of the absence of support from the others. Blundell has contributed 285 runs, while the former has scored 451 runs. They have combined to add 593 runs to the series so far. The pair has also faced more than 1000 balls in the series which is only the second instance for a batting pair to do so in England after Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith of South Africa.

Also Read: Ravi Shastri Discusses His Iconic Commentary Stint During Yuvraj Singh’s Six Sixes