Daryl Mitchell (special arrangement) NEW DELHI: Had Daryl Mitchell not represented the Black Caps, he could very well have played for the All Blacks. Instead of sending the veteran cricketer hunting for skins with his brutal hitting or performing sweeps and reverse sweeps against the spinners, he could assume the role of forward or back in rugby.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!The son of renowned rugby player and current England women’s rugby team coach John Mitchell, Daryl’s journey into cricket began almost by accident – but he quickly fell in love with the gentleman’s game.
India fans have been waiting for more than four hours to see their heroes outside the Wankhede
John Mitchell never pressured his son, always encouraging Daryl to pursue whatever he loved. Having already established himself in the world of rugby, John played for the All Blacks, including the 1993 tour of Britain where he appeared in six games without a cap, captaining the team three times and leading his team to victory each time.Following his playing career, John coached the All Blacks as well as teams in England, USA, Japan and elsewhere.Inspired by his father’s sporting achievements, Daryl initially took up rugby but was soon drawn to cricket. Today he has carved out a prominent place in New Zealand cricket and established a legacy in the sport just like his father in rugby. “Obviously Daryl was brought up around rugby because I played and coached him. As a youngster he tried both rugby and football. I was later approached by a development officer from the Northern Districts who asked if he could try to turn my son into a batsman. I agreed. We even created games in the backyard – for example a 12-ball challenge where he had to score 15 fast and six overs, 6 balls and slow overs. Daryl accepted every challenge, he loved the sport and I never imagined that these games would prepare him to where he is today is purely a result of his own development and mindset,” said John Mitchell in an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com.“He made the first XV at Hale College in Perth before playing for school teams, Waikato Under 15s and even Australian Country Schools. But he just loved cricket more. He enjoyed rugby but realized he might not have the speed to play at the highest level. Cricket offered him more opportunities and individual challenges which he thrived on. He always made his own decisions, in his career!” the proud father added with a laugh. ‘MOMMY I WANT TO BE A CRICKET’John kept a close eye on his son’s progress and noticed the right-hander’s natural inclination towards cricket.He waited patiently for the moment when Daryl would come to him and share his desires—and that day came sooner than expected.One fine day, 15-year-old Daryl came and said, “Dad, I want to be a cricketer.”John smiled and hugged his son. Although he had dominated the rugby world, he understood how cricket had found its way into Daryl’s life – thanks in large part to Daryl’s grandfather, John’s own father.“We always supported our kids’ decisions. I never wanted to be a domineering parent or interfere as a coach. I let him set his own goals and whatever he chose, we were behind him 100%. That independence probably played a big part in shaping the player he is today,” said John Mitchell. “We were first approached by the development officer to mold him as a batsman. Later he was also guided by another Northern Districts coach, Pat. But the biggest influence was his late grandfather who guided him to cricket, supported him and complemented him whenever I was away,” he added.Does Daryl’s rugby background help him on the cricket pitch?“I’m not sure it helped directly, but in many ways it did,” John said.“The fundamentals he observed – the preparation and mindset of world-class players – probably influenced him. Success doesn’t come overnight; it comes through learning from wins and losses. Experiencing it early allowed him to master his craft. He’s a big guy physically, which helps, but more importantly, it’s his hard work and attitude that stand out,” he added. DARYL – A MAN WHO HANDLES FAILURE WELL, ENJOY YOUR SUCCESSDaryl made his international debut in 2019, aged 27, against India in Wellington. In the same year, he made his Test debut against England in Hamilton, scoring a magnificent 73 on his debut. However, the right-hander had to wait two more years before earning an ODI cap, which eventually came in 2021 against Bangladesh in Dunedin.Since then, Daryl has become a mainstay in the New Zealand cricket set-up, featuring in 35 Tests, 59 ODIs and 102 T20Is. He has grown into a reliable player that his team can rely on whenever he is in the crease.Whether it’s hitting high sixes, finding the gaps, breaking the required run rate or changing the flow of the game with moves and reverse moves against the best players, Daryl has developed into a batsman that opposing teams plan carefully against before they even step on the field. His ability to adapt to any conditions and deliver under pressure has made him a vital asset for the Black Caps. “It’s always a proud moment to see him play for his country and contribute to victories. He’s mature, understands his role and handles setbacks well. Daryl can play innovative shots like the reverse sweep and excels against spinners. Watching him perform for New Zealand is really rewarding.”“The Black Caps have a small player base but they will achieve a lot. They have a good mix of youth and experience. Kane Williamson has set high standards and Daryl along with players like Santner are taking it forward. Playing in Asia now exposes them to different conditions and builds confidence,” he said.“One of his greatest qualities is how he balances his life. Regardless, he makes time for his family. He trains hard, then spends quality time with his daughters, wife Amy and close friends. He has also taken up golf and maintains personal training at home. This routine fits his lifestyle and gives him energy,” the father signed.
