Tim Southee provides fitness update on Daryl Mitchell ahead of Sri Lanka clash: Comes back in for tomorrow

Tim Southee has revealed that Daryl Mitchell is fit to make it into New Zealand’s lineup and will be part of the side that will take on Sri Lanka on Saturday. Mitchell missed the first match of the campaign against Australia as he was recovering from a finger fracture.

Mitchell was New Zealand’s hero in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup (Courtesy: Reuters)

By India Today Web Desk: Tim Southee has provided an update on New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, saying that he will be available for the game against Sri Lanka.

Mitchell, who was one of the heroes for the Kiwis in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup, was sidelined after suffering a finger fracture. The all-rounder went on to miss the tri-series featuring Pakistan and Bangladesh and also missed New Zealand’s opening fixture against Australia in the World Cup.

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Reports did suggest that Mitchell was fit for the game against Afghanistan, but the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Now Southee has provided a key update on the all-rounder’s fitness. Speaking ahead of the match against Sri Lanka, as quoted by the ICC’s official website, the veteran pacer said that Mitchell will come into the side for Saturday’s game.

“Yep, I think Daryl has come through all the tests he needs to come through from obviously suffering a broken hand a few weeks back,” said Southee. “Yeah, I think he comes back in for the side tomorrow.”

When asked if Glenn Phillips would be the one who would make way to accommodate the returning Mitchell, Southee quickly revealed that wasn’t the case and Mark Chapman would be the ‘unlucky’ one to be left out.

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“Yeah, I don’t think [it will be Phillips] — I think it’s probably Mark Chapman the one that’s, I guess, the unlucky one who came in for Daryl in the Tri-Series against Bangladesh and Pakistan,” said Southee.

“Yeah, Glenn has been phenomenal for us over the last while, as well, both in the field and adding, I guess, valuable runs at a reasonable rate when he bats.

“Yeah, it’s unlucky, I guess, for Mark Chapman, who hasn’t really done anything wrong, but I think the way that Daryl — he’s a valuable member of the side and he’s done well for us, so yeah, now that he’s fit and ready, he just comes back in. He’ll slot back in there.”