Daryl Mitchell set to return in game two

Recovering all-rounder Daryl Mitchell is targeting a return to action in the Black Caps’ second match of the Twenty20 World Cup against Afghanistan on Oct. 26.

Daryl Mitchell
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Mitchell fractured his finger while batting in the nets earlier this month and sat out the tri-series in Christchurch also involving Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Coach Gary Stead said the 31-year-old, had he been fit, would have been in the playing XI for their tournament opener against hosts and champions Australia in Sydney on Saturday.

“In all likelihood, he’s unlikely to be available for that first game,” the coach told a news conference ahead of Monday’s warm-up match against South Africa in Brisbane.

“It’s more likely the second game, this is what we’re targeting at the stage.”

Stead said it was premature to discuss the possible playing XI against Australia even before they had assessed conditions at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

“We’ll have to, I guess, have a look at those conditions, see what’s put in front of us before we make some calls on that final 11.

“But in terms of the structure of the site, we’ve tried to keep reasonably consistent with that through the tri-series as well.”

Stead also confirmed Glenn Phillips will be their back-up wicketkeeper, behind Devon Conway, leaving Finn Allen to focus on his batting.

“I think tomorrow Phillips will probably take the gloves just for a short period of time.

“Finn Allen’s another option for us but I think at the moment we’ll probably just allow him to keep going with the bat the way he is.

“He’s also an outstanding fielder as is Glenn as well.”

In case of any tournament-ending injury to Conway, last year’s runner-up New Zealand would fly in a replacement stumper, Stead added.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup campaign got off to a disastrous start as the former champions crashed to a 55-run defeat by Namibia in Geelong.

Arriving as surprise Asia Cup champions, Sri Lanka had hoped to make an early statement against the African associate side in front of thousands of expectant supporters on a sun-bathed afternoon at Kardinia Park.

Instead, it was Namibia soaking up their finest international win a year after storming into the Super 12s at the last World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Sri Lanka will have to pick themselves up without the services of left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka, who was ruled out of the tournament with a quadriceps muscle tear.

He was replaced in the squad by Binura Fernando.

The Netherlands beat the UAE in the other group game with the top two from the group then joining the Super 12s.

-Reuters