Cricket: Daryl Mitchell to miss Twenty20 series finale against Pakistan, rested as Blackcaps chase whitewash

The Blackcaps will be without Daryl Mitchell for their Twenty20 International series finale against Pakistan, with the batter's workload being managed.  

Mitchell, 32, has been a standout for the Blackcaps to start the five-match series. In four games, he's scored 158 runs at an average of 52.66, and passed fifty twice.  

Only Finn Allen (253 runs at 63.25) and Babar Azam (200 at 50) have scored more runs that Mitchell across the first four matches.   

On Friday, Mitchell was named man-of-the-match in the Blackcaps' seven-wicket win in Christchurch for his 72 not out, and was involved in a New Zealand record partnership of an unbeaten 139 runs with Glenn Phillips (70 not out).   

But with one eye on tests against South Africa and Australia later this summer, and a T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA from June, Mitchell will miss Sunday's series finale.  

Instead, all-rounder Rachin Ravindra will return to the squad in Mitchell's place, after he was rested from the initial part of the series against Pakistan.

"Daryl is an important player for us across all three formats and ensuring he's in the best place to perform in international cricket is vital," said coach Gary Stead.   

"Rachin is coming off a period of rest himself and will bring a valuable skill set to the group in this final match as he continues his return to cricket."  

Elsewhere, the Blackcaps will continue to monitor the fitness of opener Devon Conway, who missed game four of the series after testing positive for COVID-19.  

Earlier in the series, Mitchell Santner returned to the side in Hamilton, two days after testing positive for COVID in Auckland.  

And with Mitchell now joining captain Kane Williamson in being unavailable for the series finale, Conway could come back into contention, if able.   

The Blackcaps will be without Daryl Mitchell for their Twenty20 International series finale against Pakistan, with the batter's workload being managed.  

Mitchell, 32, has been a standout for the Blackcaps to start the five-match series. In four games, he's scored 158 runs at an average of 52.66, and passed fifty twice.  

Only Finn Allen (253 runs at 63.25) and Babar Azam (200 at 50) have scored more runs that Mitchell across the first four matches.   

On Friday, Mitchell was named man-of-the-match in the Blackcaps' seven-wicket win in Christchurch for his 72 not out, and was involved in a New Zealand record partnership of an unbeaten 139 runs with Glenn Phillips (70 not out).   

But with one eye on tests against South Africa and Australia later this summer, and a T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA from June, Mitchell will miss Sunday's series finale.  

Instead, all-rounder Rachin Ravindra will return to the squad in Mitchell's place, after he was rested from the initial part of the series against Pakistan.

"Daryl is an important player for us across all three formats and ensuring he's in the best place to perform in international cricket is vital," said coach Gary Stead.   

"Rachin is coming off a period of rest himself and will bring a valuable skill set to the group in this final match as he continues his return to cricket."  

Elsewhere, the Blackcaps will continue to monitor the fitness of opener Devon Conway, who missed game four of the series after testing positive for COVID-19.  

Earlier in the series, Mitchell Santner returned to the side in Hamilton, two days after testing positive for COVID in Auckland.  

And with Mitchell now joining captain Kane Williamson in being unavailable for the series finale, Conway could come back into contention, if able.   

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.