Daryl Mitchell could return as Black Caps face Afghanistan at Twenty20 World Cup

Daryl Mitchell is in line to return to the Black Caps when they play Afghanistan on Wednesday.

Twenty20 World Cup: Black Caps v Afghanistan

Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia; When: Wednesday 9pm [NZ time]

Live coverage: Sky Sport 1, live updates on Stuff

Stuff Allrounder Daryl Mitchell will stay as part of the T20 World Cup squad while New Zealand head coach Gary Stead is optimistic on the fitness of his pace bowlers.

One of the Black Caps’ stars from last year’s Twenty20 World Cup could return for their second match at this year’s event.

Seamer Trent Boult confirmed on the eve of their clash with Afghanistan that batter Daryl Mitchell had trained the last couple of days and said his former Northern Districts team-mate had “determination” and “hunger to want to be out there”.

The Black Caps will face Afghanistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday, looking to build on their first-up win over hosts Australia in Sydney on Saturday.

Mitchell missed that match and the tri-series against Bangladesh and Pakistan in Christchurch that preceded the tournament after breaking a pinky finger in training.

Coach Gary Stead indicated on October 10 that Mitchell would be targeting the Afghanistan fixture for his return and if he does get the all clear, he will replace Mark Chapman in the middle order.

Mitchell was a key figure for the Black Caps during their run to the final of last year’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, where they lost to Australia.

He made 49 off 35 in the group stage as they upset India, then starred with an unbeaten 72 off 47 balls as they stunned England in the semifinals.

His return would shore up the New Zealand middle-order as they prepare to face Afghanistan for just the second time in T20 international cricket.

Their only previous meeting was at last year’s World Cup – a match the Black Caps won by eight wickets with 11 balls to spare.

Even though they were down a first-choice batter, the Black Caps made an emphatic start to their World Cup campaign against Australia.

Devon Conway made an unbeaten 92 off 58 as they posted 200-3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with fellow opener Finn Allen making 42 of 16 and Jimmy Neesham adding an unbeaten 26 off 13 at the death.

Australia were then dismissed for 111, giving the Black Caps an unexpected win they will now be seeking to capitalise on.

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