Key Black Cap to play T20 World Cup

By Kris Shannon

Black Caps key batsman Daryl Mitchell has been confirmed for the Twenty20 World Cup despite suffering a fractured hand last week.

Mitchell was injured in the nets during a training session but has been given the go-ahead for the tournament which starts later this month.

"Obviously it's a massive relief for what's gone on over the last 72 hours but it's really nice to get the nod and give this hand a chance to be ready for the first game," Mitchell said.

"It was a bit niggly timing but the fracture is in a good spot and it's going to be able to heal in time, hopefully for the first game."

Black Caps coach Gary Stead said Mitchell is still a chance to miss the opening game against Australia on October 22 but he looks set to play after that.

"When we thought about the value that Daryl brings to the team and the likely timeline as well, we're still hopeful he's right for the first game but probably more realistically the second game," Stead said.

Stead added that paceman Lockie Ferguson, who is missing the current series against Pakistan and Bangladesh, is also aiming for a return at the start of the World Cup campaign.

Fellow bowler Adam Milne left the field in the side's win over Bangladesh last night but Stead said that was just a precaution and he'll be fine to play in the series.

Mitchell was a standout while opening the batting during New Zealand's run to the final of last year's T20 World Cup, with their defeat by Australia coming after Devon Conway had suffered a broken hand in the semifinal win over England.

Conway has since assumed that opening role while Mitchell is now an integral part of the Black Caps' middle order, forming with Glenn Phillips and Jimmy Neesham a powerful closing trio.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission