Massive blow for New Zealand! Daryl Mitchell ruled out of NZ vs SA 2nd Test, Australia T20Is

New Zealand middle-order batter and occasional spinner, Daryl Mitchell, has been ruled out of the NZ vs SA 2nd Test and the forthcoming NZ vs AUS T20I series. Daryl Mitchell was part of the recent 1st Test against South Africa which New Zealand won.

Daryl Mitchell hit 34 and 11* across both innings of the match. New Zealand outplayed South Africa by 281 runs in the match after posting a mammoth total of 511-10 in the 1st innings. With the victory, the Blackcaps also reached the top spot in the ICC World Test Championship points table.

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Daryl Mitchell ruled out due to rehab for a foot injury

Daryl Mitchell has been ruled out of the upcoming NZ vs SA 2nd Test and Australia T20I series due to an ongoing foot injury. He has been rested to allow the foot injury to heal quickly and make him available for the forthcoming Test series against Australia.

New Zealand Head Coach Gary Stead told reporters that the management felt that it was important for Daryl Mitchell to undergo rehabilitation now. Notably, the right-handed batter was rested during the 5th T20I against Pakistan last month. However, his injury did not recover completely.

“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. Based on the schedule ahead, we feel now is an appropriate time for Daryl to complete a period of rehabilitation,” Stead said.

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NZ vs AUS Test series to begin on February 29

The New Zealand vs South Africa 2nd Test begins on Tuesday, February 13 at Seddon Park in Hamilton. Later, New Zealand will host Australia for T20I and Test series. The three T20I games will take place from February 21 to 25.

Later, the NZ vs AUS Test series will commence with the opening encounter on February 29 in Wellington. The New Zealand vs Australia Test series will observe two encounters. Hence, the BlackCaps wants Daryl Mitchell to be a part of the Test series against Australia.

Bowler Will O’Rourke will replace Mitchell in the New Zealand squad for the final Test against South Africa. He will join the squad in Hamilton. Other than Mitchell, all the other Kiwi members will travel to Hamilton for the next game.

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New Zealand leads the Test series 1-0

Meanwhile, New Zealand leads the Test series against South Africa 1-0. Pacer Tim Southee leads New Zealand in the series. South Africa is led by Neil Brand in the absence of senior members Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram.

While the hosts have all key members in their squad, South Africa comprises young and less-experienced members in the absence of seniors, who are busy with the SA20 2024 league. South Africa failed in both batting and bowling against Kiwis in the opening game. Now, they need to pull up their socks in the next encounter to outplay the hosts.