Daryl Mitchell to miss South Africa Test, Australia T20Is with injury

Star New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell will be sidelined for the second and final Test against South Africa and the forthcoming T20I series against Australia at home due to a persistent foot injury. The Test match will be played at Seddon Park from February 13. Meanwhile, the three-match T20I series will begin on February 21 with the first match to be played at the Wellington Regional Stadium. 

The 32-year-old has been ruled out of the aforementioned games after suffering from aches recently. However, he is anticipated to regain full fitness in a quick period and is likely to take part in New Zealand's Test series against Australia, commencing from February 29. Mitchell will be replaced in the group by Will O'Rourke, who was previously selected for the squad for the second Test. He might make his debut or otherwise Will Young will take the batting all-rounder's position.

"Daryl is a hugely important member of the squad in all three formats and ensuring he is in the best shape is vital with the period of matches to come. Based on the schedule ahead, we feel now is an appropriate time for Daryl to complete a period of rehabilitation," New Zealand head coach Gary Stead was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Kane Williamson to miss Australia T20Is

Stead further confirmed that white-ball captain Kane Williamson might miss the T20I series against Australia due to personal reasons. He added that while ace pacer Trent Boult might be recalled to the squad.

"Kane's wife is pregnant at the moment, so I think through the T20s it's unlikely he will be around as well. Trent's available if we want to select him - him and I are still having conversations, but from a selection point of view, we're going through that at the moment and hopeful in the next couple of days we can nail down what that looks like," the coach added.