Daryl Mitchell set to miss second Test against South Africa and the T20Is against Australia due to injury

New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell has been ruled out in the second Test match against South Africa in Hamilton. He has also been ruled out for the upcoming T20 series against Australia.

Due to his foot injury New Zealand Cricket has rested him to give him time to recover. In the last match against Pakistan, Daryl Mitchell did not play he also missed the Super Smash final against Auckland.

He played the first Test match against South Africa at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.  He scored 34 runs in the first innings and 11 unbeaten in the second innings. New Zealand crushed South Africa by 281 runs and won the first Test match.

Meanwhile, Daryl Mitchell felt some discomfort and New Zealand Cricket allowed him to grant more rehabilitation period.

Mitchell has been rested, according to New Zealand head coach Gary Stead, in preparation for the Test series against Australia, which begins on February 29.

We took the opportunity to rest him a little earlier after seeking medical advice – Gary Stead

“We took the opportunity to rest him a little earlier but after seeking medical advice on this as well it’s likely that he needs a longer period of time,” Stead said in a press release.

“It’s really tough, because there’s not a lot breaks coming up in the next week while so thought this gives us nearly three weeks to try and give him the chance of the best recuperation from it.

“There’s no guarantees this will still work in that period of time, but we are very hopeful that it will improve his chances of getting through a longer stint with us.” The Kiwis have not identified a replacement for Mitchell, as Will Young is expected to take his spot in the starting eleven.

Stead also stated that Canterbury bowler Will O’Rourke was still in contention for a debut. Former captain Kane Williamson is set to miss the series against Australia because his wife is expecting his third child. The T20Is against Australia begin on February 21.