Daryl Mitchell just keeps killing England, New Zealand superstar named Player of the Series after ODI sweep
Published 01/11/2025 at 13:26 GMT
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After being named Player of the Series for New Zealand's 3-0 sweep over England in their One Day International series we look at the performances of Daryl Mitchell. Both in ODIs and Test cricket Mitchell's record is outstanding against England and throughout this series he stood out for the way he ground the opposition down, particularly in the wake of collapses around him.
Highlights: England's batting falters again as New Zealand sweep the series in dramatic fashion
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I think the way Daryl was able to control the middle in all three games was outstanding for us."
Those were the words of New Zealand white-ball captain Mitchell Santner as he reflected on the performance of his team after their 3-0 ODI series win over England on Saturday. Santner praised his entire squad for finding different ways to win, but he knew who their star player had been.
It is the first time in 42 years that New Zealand have swept England in a three-match ODI series and cemented their status as one of the best teams in the world in that format, particularly at home.
At the heart of the win was Daryl Mitchell, who finished as the series' highest run-scorer with 178.
In both of the first two games he was there at the end to take New Zealand home and whilst he could not do that in the third and final contest, he set up the platform needed after another collapse.
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'What kind of shot was that?' - Santner hits astonishing six off Carse
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Steadying the ship
In the first ODI New Zealand got off to a catastrophic start in their pursuit of England's 223. They lost Will Young in the second over, with Kane Williamson then suffering a golden duck. A little over two overs later, Rachin Ravindra was removed.
That brought Mitchell to the crease. Together with Tom Latham, Michael Bracewell and then Santner, he built partnerships, finishing with 78 not out off 91 balls to see New Zealand home alongside Nathan Smith.
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Highlights: New Zealand chase down 224 despite brilliant century from Brook in first ODI
Video credit: TNT Sports
In the second game, it was a smaller target to chase - just 176 required for victory. Again, Young departed early, the first over this time. Ravindra and Williamson steadied the ship but later on there was another mini-collapse, as Ravindra, Latham and Bracewell were all out in the space of around six overs. This time, Santner stayed with Mitchell to avoid any further damage and secured the win.
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Highlights: England fall to ODI series defeat as New Zealand cruise to five-wicket win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Then on Saturday, Devon Conway came into the side and he and Ravindra got New Zealand off to a great start. They did not lose a wicket until the end of the 13th over. However, Conway's unfortunate run out then triggered a collapse that saw the Black Caps lose three wickets in just 11 balls.
For the third time in a row, Mitchell came in and calmed everything down. This time he was not there at the end as he nicked behind off the bowling of Sam Curran, but he provided the platform for a series sweep.
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'That might be the blow' - Curran snares Mitchell to set up tense finish
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If you look at the table below, you can see just how imposing Mitchell is when he is at the crease.
| Player | Balls faced in ODI Series |
| Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) | 218 |
| Harry Brook (England) | 146 |
| Jamie Overton (England) | 144 |
| Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand) | 112 |
| Jos Buttler (England) | 74 |
He was out in the middle for 218 balls, 72 more than the next highest, which was England captain Harry Brook.
And look at the next-highest New Zealand player, Ravindra on 112. He was the only player to face over 100 balls bar Mitchell for the Black Caps.
Mitchell is such a smart cricketer and so talented - particularly when hitting down the ground - but his toughness and doggedness are what really set him apart. It takes a special mindset to keep your head, and your wicket, when all around you are losing theirs.
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Speaking after the game was over, presenter Scotty Stevenson opined on why Mitchell was awarded the Player of the Series award.
"I think for consistency more than anything else," Stevenson said. "He came in at crunch times, he came in after the top order had failed. He has been superb at controlling the chase and giving the team the confidence to run down these totals."
Sitting next to him, legendary Kiwi fast bowler Shane Bond agreed.
"He’s a hugely experienced player now and probably one of the most competitive men you’d meet," Bond said. "The one thing I love about Mitch is his preparation.
"There isn’t anyone who’s better prepared than Daryl Mitchell and you combine all those three elements and you get a guy who’s averaging 50 in Test cricket and One-Day cricket [note Mitchell averages slightly under 50 in Tests]. He’s a world-class player and a key player for New Zealand."
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'There isn’t anyone who’s better prepared' - How Mitchell remains elite
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A favoured opponent
One thing that is clear when you dig into the numbers is just how much Mitchell loves playing against England, especially in One-Day cricket.
Mitchell averages 93.50 against England in ODIs, nearly double his next highest of his averages by country, which come against Pakistan and India.
| Country v | Runs | Average |
| England | 374 | 93.50 |
| Pakistan | 683 | 48.78 |
| India | 389 | 48.62 |
| West Indies | 124 | 41.33 |
| South Africa | 83 | 27.66 |
Daryl Mitchell's top five averages against different countries in ODIs, sorted by average after a minimum of two games.
Even though this series was played in New Zealand, if you look at his numbers in various countries, his record in England stands out. His average in England in ODis is 65.33. His next best average (for games outside New Zealand) is in India with an average of 53.27.
The pattern holds up in Tests. His best average comes against Zimbabwe (from just two Tests) and Pakistan but then it is England. He hasn't played many Tests in England (just four) but his record in games played in England is the best of any country.
It is worth pointing out that his record in T20s does not hold up in the same way, but it is clear that when the games are longer, England have a real problem with Mitchell.
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'We just haven’t been good enough' - Brook admits there is work to do for England
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Monsters at home
New Zealand's victory over England cements their place as one of the best ODI sides in the world, sitting second behind India in the ICC rankings and just ahead of neighbours Australia.
However, one area where New Zealand are head and shoulders above the rest is when it comes to their home record.
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New Zealand's home record in ODIs since February 2019.
Image credit: TNT Sports
As the graphic above shows, since February 2019, New Zealand have won 25 out of 29 ODIs at home, losing two and having two no results for an astonishing 92.59% win record.
That is 17% better than the second-best record, which is India, a team known for being formidable at home.
"Now up to 92%, closing in on 93% at home, since February 2019," Stevenson said as the record flashed up on screen. "It’s now the toughest One Day assignment in the world, to come to New Zealand and win a series. Sri Lanka, obviously for different reasons, Australia always going to be tough as well, but daylight between New Zealand and the second-best, which is India.
"It just goes to show that there’s something about this format that appeals to the New Zealand psyche and to the way we play our cricket."
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'We’re a hugely talented, very experienced, tough cricket team' - New Zealand's incredible home form
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Bond offered up his thoughts on their record saying: "You can talk about the toss or conditions or the ball moving around, but you’re not going to win all the tosses, and it’s difficult to bat for both teams. We’re a hugely talented, very experienced, tough cricket team. That’s why we’ve been successful for such a long time now.
"That record when you talk about a place like India and our record is vastly superior it shows how good this New Zealand cricket team is, so they’re a great team in this format."
Santner's team will have three more chances to flex their ODI muscles over the coming weeks as they welcome West Indies for both a white-ball and a red-ball series - livee on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Watch every ball of The Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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