Mitchell participated in New Zealand’s devastating 281-run first Test victory over the touring Proteas on Wednesday, but will miss the second match, which begins on Tuesday, due to a recurring foot ailment.
Daryl Mitchell, a Black Caps batsman, will miss the second Test against South Africa next week to prepare for the next home series against world champions Australia, New Zealand Cricket announced on Thursday.
Mitchell participated in New Zealand’s decisive 281-run victory over the visiting Proteas in the first Test on Wednesday, but he will be sidelined for the second Test starting on Tuesday due to a nagging foot injury.
In addition, the 32-year-old, who has five hundreds in 31 Test matches, will be absent from all three Twenty20 matches this month against Australia in advance of the home two-Test series against the world champion touring team that begins on February 29.
In a statement, New Zealand Cricket stated that the middle-order hitter requires more care for a foot ailment that prevented him from playing in the home Twenty20 series victory against Pakistan in January.
“Daryl is a crucial component of the team in every format, so it’s imperative that he stays in peak physical condition for the upcoming games,” stated Gary Stead, head coach of the Black Caps.
“This is a good time to wrap up a rehabilitation period given the schedule ahead.”
For the second Test in Hamilton against South Africa, seamer Will O’Rourke will report to the squad as scheduled.
Against the Proteas, Kane Williamson of New Zealand solidified his status as the top-ranked male batter in the world by scoring hundreds of runs in every innings.
New Zealand would defeat South Africa in a Test series for the first time ever with a second victory, capping 17 previous attempts against the Proteas since 1931.
