Daryl Mitchell in doubt for remainder of West Indies ODI series

New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell could miss the remainder of the ongoing ODI series against West Indies after sustaining a groin strain during his match-winning century in Christchurch.

Mitchell’s brilliant 119 off 118 balls helped New Zealand edge the visitors by just seven runs in the series opener, but the injury now casts doubt on his availability for the rest of the series.

Mitchell will remain in Christchurch to undergo scans to determine the severity of the strain, while left-hander Henry Nicholls has been called up for the second ODI in Napier on Wednesday.

Nicholls, who last featured in an ODI in April, has been in outstanding domestic form this season, topping the Ford Trophy run charts with 306 runs at an average of 76.50, including back-to-back centuries against Otago and Auckland.

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Mark Chapman also remains as the other spare batter in the squad, boasting an impressive 101.33 average from four ODIs this year.

Notably, New Zealand’s squad is already dealing with multiple injuries, with Mohammad Abbas (ribs), Finn Allen (foot), Lockie Ferguson (hamstring), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back), Glenn Phillips (groin), and Ben Sears (hamstring) all sidelined.

Kane Williamson, who recently battled a minor groin issue against England, was rested from the ODI series to focus on preparations for New Zealand’s upcoming Test matches against West Indies.

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