Daryl Mitchell

His first-class career with Northern Districts began in the 2011-12 season, and he soon caught the eye in more than one format. Flexibility has been central to his rise. With the bat he tends to settle in on a sound foundation before opening up his range of shots as an innings goes on. Bowling is the lesser part of his game, yet he has a habit of taking wickets through changes of pace. Time spent in Perth early on gave him a liking for quick, bouncy conditions and left him comfortable against the short ball.

The 2018-19 summer marked a turning point. Steady domestic output, notably in the Super Smash, led to his first national selection for the home T20I series against India in February 2019. At the 2021 T20 World Cup he was moved up to open alongside Guptill and responded with 208 runs in 7 matches at an average of 34.67 and a strike rate of 140.54, helping New Zealand into the final. From 2021 onwards he has been a fixture in the side as its batting all-rounder.

In red-ball cricket, the 2022 tour of England stands out: he made 538 runs at an average of 107.6, although England won the series 3-0. The following year he shone at the 2023 World Cup, striking a century against India in the semi-final.

Away from international duty he has turned out regularly in franchise competitions, including spells with the London Spirit in the Hundred, and he was selected by Chennai Super Kings for the 2024 IPL.