Mitchell father, son celebrate
If Daryl Mitchell grew up with fond childhood memories of hanging around with the All Blacks, it’s been nothing compared to the past few days.
Cradling his six-week-old daughter at home in Hamilton, Mitchell woke early to cheer on England, yes, England, beat Ireland in the rugby Six Nations on Sunday.
Then he was off to Wellington to join the Black Caps for the first time, for the Twenty20 series against India and likened opening his training kit to a child unwrapping their Christmas presents.
It’s no secret the 27-year-old is the son of John Mitchell, former All Blacks coach and now England defence coach who made a highly impressive start to his new job at the weekend.
‘‘I woke up and watched England get up for the win. Dad was pretty happy with that performance I’d say. I messaged him; he’s excited for me to get this opportunity and I’m happy for him. Hopefully, they win the Six Nations and put a smile on his face,’’ Mitchell said.
And the Rugby World Cup? ‘‘That’s a tough one. If England make the final against the All Blacks, but the All Blacks beat them, maybe. Let’s go with that…’’
Questions about his famous father come with the territory as Mitchell’s profile increases and they don’t appear to bother him. Growing up it certainly helped him deal with the pressures of top-level sport.
‘‘He’s always just been my Dad, he’s gone to work just like every other Dad does. It just happened that he went to rugby training instead of to an office or something.
‘‘It was cool growing up, I got to watch the All Blacks and the Chiefs train and be around professional sport which probably helped me create who I am and how I go about things today.
‘‘At the end of the day he’s just my Dad and he’s still a pain in the arse sometimes.’’
Mitchell snr’s job took the family to Perth where young Daryl went to high school but Hamilton was always home, and the silver fern badge on the black helmet the ultimate goal.
Having made his first-class
debut for Northern Districts in March 2012, primarily as a batsman, Mitchell developed his bowling and this season went to another level as an allrounder.
On the batting charts Mitchell is second-highest runscorer for the table-topping Knights with 318 at a strike rate of 140, and with the ball produced some coolheaded overs at the death.
He got a feel for what to expect from India watching Sunday’s fifth ODI on television from Westpac Stadium, venue for his potential debut tomorrow.
‘‘I’m excited. It’s going to be cool to get out there and take them on. It’s a blessing in disguise that I’ve played a few years of domestic cricket to work out my own game.’’
His first training at the Basin Reserve yesterday saw Mitchell wear official team kit for the first time. ‘‘It’s pretty surreal, pretty cool. It’s something you dream of as a little kid.’’
It helps that two of his best mates, Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner, will be alongside in the three-match T20 series and senior men Kane Williamson and Tim Southee are Knights team-mates, too.
There was a late change to the Black Caps squad yesterday when Martin Guptill (back) was ruled out of the T20 series, and replaced by allrounder Jimmy Neesham.
STEAD ‘CLOSE’ TO CUP 15