T20 World Cup: Coach New Zealand provides a significant update on the return of Daryl Mitchell after his injury

Daryl Mitchell, a recovering all-rounder, plans to play in New Zealand’s second Twenty20 World Cup match against Afghanistan on October 26, according to head coach Gary Stead on Sunday. Mitchell missed the tri-series in Christchurch that included Pakistan and Bangladesh because he injured his finger while hitting in the practice nets earlier this month.

The 31-year-old would have played against tournament hosts and defending winners Australia on Saturday in Sydney, according to Stead, had he been healthy. Before Monday’s exhibition game against South Africa in Brisbane, the coach said during a press conference: “In all probability, he’s unlikely to be available for that first game.”

“The second game is more probable; this is what we’re aiming for at this point.”

Even before they had evaluated the conditions at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Stead said it was premature to consider the potential starting lineup against Australia. We’ll have to, I think, look at those circumstances and see what’s presented to us before we make any decisions on that last 11. But we made an effort to maintain some consistency with the website’s structure across the three-part series as well.

Glenn Phillips will serve as their backup wicketkeeper, after Devon Conway, according to Stead, freeing up Finn Allen to concentrate on his batting.

“I believe Phillips will likely take the gloves tomorrow, if only briefly.”

We also have Finn Allen as a possibility, but for the time being, I believe we’ll let him continue to lead with the bat as he is. A substitute stumper would be flown in by New Zealand, the team that finished second last year, if Conway suffered a tournament-ending injury.