Super smash finals

Australia T20Is: New Zealand have suffered a big blow as their middle-order batter Daryl Mitchell has been ruled out from the second Test against South Africa and the T20I series against Australia due to injury, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Thursday.

Mitchell has been battling an ongoing foot complaint and team management have decided the 32-year-old will sit out the second Test against the Proteas in an attempt to allow an ongoing foot injury to heal.

"It was hoped recent periods of rest, including sitting out the 5th T20I against Pakistan and the Super Smash Finals, would allow the injury to heal, but with Mitchell still experiencing discomfort it was decided a focused period of rehabilitation was necessary," NZC said in a statement.