Image Credit- AFP
In an effort to control his workload, all-arounder
Daryl Mitchell has been left out of New Zealand’s forthcoming fifth Twenty20
International match against Pakistan. Rachin Ravindra, an all-rounder who was
initially rested for the series, will take Mitchell’s spot after he scored two
half-centuries in the first four Twenty20 Internationals.
In addition to the fact that the hosts were already
leading the five-match series 4-0, New Zealand coach Gary Stead said the
decision was made with consideration for Mitchell’s workload and the
international cricket that takes place after the Pakistan T20Is.
“We’ve made a call to give Daryl Mitchell a break
from this game. We’ve obviously got some important Test matches leading
up,” Stead said. “Daryl’s a three-format player, so it’s really
important that we do manage his workload over this period. He’s highly likely
to play a big part in the rest of our [home] season. So we just thought this is
an opportune time [to give him a break], given the series is won.
“But it’s also nice to introduce Rachin back into
the side. He’s been on a period of break, and came back and played one game for
Wellington Firebirds [in the domestic T20s]. He fits well into the team in the
role that we’d like him to play.”
Mitchell has participated in 28 of the 34 games across
all formats for New Zealand since August 30 of last year. He missed six games,
two of which were three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, one of which was
played at home in December 2023 and the other away in September 2023.
On December 23, at the third One-Day International
(ODI) in Napier against Bangladesh, Ravindra made his New Zealand debut. Since
then, on January 15, he has played just one competitive game for Wellington
against Northern Districts.
Stead also said that the final call on the
participation of opening batter Devon Conway in the fifth T20I against Pakistan
would be made only on the morning of the match.
“We’ll make a call tomorrow morning on Devon; he
still has symptoms at the moment,” Stead said. “But hopefully the
next 24 hours, and that will be a much better position for him. We won’t know
that until tomorrow morning, and we’ll make the call then.”