Blundell to miss Pakistan ODIs, Mitchell joins squad
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|| CF DESK ||
New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell will miss the one-day series against Pakistan due to a left quad strain, confirmed by New Zealand Cricket.
All-rounder Daryl Mitchell, who was to join the side for the T20I leg of the Pakistan tour, will now join the group and be available from the second match of the series onwards, once he's completed mandatory isolation.
"Obviously everyone is gutted for Tom, he's a quality player with a diverse skill-set. He'll remain with the squad and we're hopeful he'll be available again for the T20I series. With Tom out, we do lose our first choice back-up wicket-keeping option," stand-in coach Glenn Pocknall said.
"However, there are several guys in the squad with keeping experience and we'll ensure they do the necessary work at training to be up to speed if called upon."
Pocknall and Shane Jurgensen will split coaching duties in Pakistan as regular coach Gary Stead stayed in New Zealand. Blundell pulled up during the fourth T20I against Bangladesh with the injury, which New Zealand lost by six wickets.
"The injury is not quite where we want it so we think it's best for him to concentrate on his rehab given the big summer of cricket ahead," physio Nishil Shah said.
New Zealand will face Pakistan in three ODIs before moving to Lahore for a five-match Twenty20 series.
