New Zealand’s hard-fought seven-run victory over the West Indies was tempered by a major setback as Daryl Mitchell suffered a left-groin injury during his match-winning century and will undergo scans in Christchurch.
Mitchell experienced discomfort while batting and did not take the field during the West Indies’ chase. New Zealand Cricket confirmed late Sunday that he will stay back for assessment, with his involvement in the rest of the ODI series now uncertain.
Nicholls Called In as Cover
Henry Nicholls has been summoned to join the squad in Napier. He arrives in superb domestic form, topping the Ford Trophy run chart with 306 runs at 76.50, including consecutive centuries of 117* and 138*.
Mitchell’s Crucial 119 Lifts NZ From Trouble
Before injury concerns took over, Mitchell produced a stunning rescue act at Hagley Oval. Walking in to face a hat-trick ball after Rachin Ravindra (4) and Will Young (0) fell in succession, he steadied New Zealand from a shaky 24/2 with a composed and powerful 118-ball 119, his seventh ODI century and first in 10 innings.
It is always nice to get one at Hagley and to help the team win a game of cricket. Nice to do it in front of the family. A lot of hard work goes in behind it (scoring runs). Special one for sure.
Speaking about conditions and his mindset, he added: "(On the pitch and his thinking) It was a tricky surface in terms of the extra bounce. You could not be fluent. Trying to put pressure on them and then absorb it at other times."
Supported by Devon Conway (45), Michael Bracewell (35), and Zak Foulkes (22*), New Zealand posted 269/7 from their 50 overs.
West Indies Battle, But NZ Hold On
The visitors pushed hard in reply, reaching 262/6. Sherfane Rutherford (55), Shai Hope (37), and Justin Greaves (38*) kept the chase alive, but New Zealand held firm. Kyle Jamieson picked up 3/52, while Foulkes added 1/30 to his all-round contribution.
BlackCaps Shift to Napier
The squad now relocates to Napier ahead of Wednesday’s second ODI at McLean Park — but whether Mitchell will be part of that match remains in the hands of Monday’s medical scan.
