'Someone needs to tell him Test cricket is meant to be hard' - Twitter in awe as Daryl Mitchell makes hat-trick of centuries against England

New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell has had a tremendous run in the ongoing Test series against England, and he came up with another century in the final Test at Headingley in Leeds. The visitors had gone to stumps on Day 1 at 225 for 5 and Mitchell was unbeaten on 78, alongside Tom Blundell.

While Blundell was dismissed after his half-century at the start of the second day’s play, Mitchell continued his impressive form and notched up his third consecutive century with a six off the bowling of Jack Leach. Mitchell scored a valiant 108 in the second innings at Lord’s in the first Test and played a giant knock of 190 in the first innings of the Trent Bridge Test in Nottingham. He also was unbeaten on 62 in the second innings in that match.

With his three consecutive centuries, Mitchell has become only the fifth New Zealand batter to achieve the feat in Tests, after Mark Burgess, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, and Kane Williamson. He has also joined a rare list of cricketers to score three centuries in a three-match Test series in England. Ken Barrington (against Pakistan in 1967) and Graham Gooch (against India in 1990) are the other two to achieve the feat.

Daryl Mitchell rescues New Zealand from a tough position

Mitchell came to the crease at 83 for 4 in the 35th over with his side in a spot of bother, but he yet again stepped up at a crucial time. The all-rounder was involved in a 40-run partnership with Henry Nicholls but a bizarre incident led to the downfall of the latter. However, he had to put it at the back of his mind and played a stunning knock to take his side to a good total at the end of the first day’s play.

Mitchell has been in the spotlight ever since his excellent show at the top of the order in the T20 World Cup 2021 semifinal against England. The 31-year-old  has turned out to be a sensation across formats for the Kiwis and has made full use of his chances so far.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to Mitchell’s three consecutive centuries