The Black Caps selectors have decided that allrounder Daryl Mitchell will travel to Australia for the T20 World Cup later this month.
Daryl Mitchell Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Mitchell is currently sidelined with a fractured bone in his hand, which he suffered in training last week.
He's missing the currently tri-series against Pakistan and Bangladesh.
However coach Gary Stead says they were keen on having him available for the World Cup.
"When we thought about the value Daryl brings to the team and also the likely time frame (of his recovery), it just made us think yes we really need him there.
"We're still hopeful he'll be right for the first game but probably more realistically the second game.
Mitchell averages 25 with the bat in T20 internationals and he admits he did have concerns about being ready in time.
"Obviously it's a massive relief.
"This is the reason we play the game to be able to go to World Cup events like this and represent our country.
"It was obviously niggly timing with it being so close, but really lucky that the fracture is in a good spot and it's going to be able to heal in time hopefully for the first game."
Meanwhile pace bowler Adam Milne left the field during last night's game against Bangladesh with some pain in his abdomen, however Stead says that was precautionary and they're hopeful he might even be available to play tomorrow.
Stead reiterated that speedster Lockie Ferguson, who also has an abdominal strain, is unlikely to play this series and they're still aiming for him for the start of the World Cup.
New Zealand's first World Cup game is against Australia at the SCG on the 22nd of October.
The tri-series continues in Christchurch on Tuesday with New Zealand playing Pakistan.
Pakistan top the tri-series standings with two wins, while the Black Caps beat Bangladesh by eight wickets last night for their first win.
