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Cricket News: CricBlog caught up with New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell. Here is the transcript

New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell was kind enough to talk to Tawhid Qureshi, who is part of the CricBlog team. Below is the audio of the interview as well as the transcript, where the talented New Zealand all-rounder spoke about the first Test against Bangladesh, the recent World Cup, what’s to come, and his own personal journey.

Interview with Daryl Mitchell – the full transcript

Q: What’s the mood in the camp after defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test at Sylhet?

Daryl Mitchell: “Yeah look, it’s never nice to lose Test matches first and foremost. But, for us, I think we did a lot of good things for parts of the Test, and we were in the hunt right up until the end. I think the thing we realised is we need to do all three facets for longer periods. That’s probably the one thing we recognised from that first Test, especially the way the Bangladesh bowlers built pressure on those kinds of surfaces.

“For us, that’s what we’ve learnt and what we’ll be looking to do heading into the next Test in a couple days’ time [Wednesday 6 December].”

Q: Does the quick turnaround between Tests help you get over the first Test defeat, i.e. you’re not waiting too long to get back on the horse?

Daryl Mitchell: “I think that’s just the nature of international cricket, especially at the moment. Obviously the schedules are pretty busy and for us, it’s been really clear on the things that we want to do as a group moving forward into the next Test, but also not dwelling on outcomes too much as long as we’re sticking to how we want to play cricket as Black Caps then we’ll go a long way towards winning games throughout that.

“So, we won’t over-analyse it, we won’t live and die by the outcomes that are brought about; as long as we’re sticking to who we are, we’ll be pretty happy.”

Q: Looking back at that first Test in a bit more detail, it was gripping and close in the first few days. Day three looked to be the turning point, especially Najmul Hossain Shanto who took the game away. Was that your sense?

Daryl Mitchell: “I think there are a number of key moments throughout that Test you can look back and think ‘what if’, or ‘what could we have done better?’ but for us to get parity after the first innings and to have them in a position where we could have reduced them a little bit more than what we were chasing in the end.

“We always know chasing in a fourth innings, especially over here in these parts of the world, can be very challenging. Again, it comes down to a couple of moments here and there which hopefully we can get better in the second Test which will go a long way to winning the next Test match.

“But, again, we were right in the hunt, we’ve recognised what we need to do better, and we’ll do that hopefully in the next Test.”

Q: Glenn Phillips was impressive with the ball and how could we not mention Kane Williamson? His fourth consecutive century (in four straight Tests) and you shared a partnership with him. Give us a sense of what it’s like watching him at work.

Daryl Mitchell: “For us, we’re very lucky to have a player like Kane who’s been a part of this group for a long time now; he’s been a leader of this group and he continues to do that with the bat which is awesome to see.

“I know personally, I learn a lot off him watching how he goes about his business on a day-to-day basis… not only as a cricketer but as a person, he’s just a bloody good bloke and we’re very lucky to have him.”

Q: It seemed to me you still had a genuine sense that you could still get something out of that Test heading into day five; possibly the draw if not the win?

Daryl Mitchell: “Yeah, I’m a competitor at heart. That’s what drives me is trying to win games of cricket for our country and whenever I’m out there with bat or ball in hand, I just want to get stuck into the moment and try help us win those moments.

“Ish [Sodhi] is one of my best mates, we played with each other domestically since we were about 18 years old so it’s always good fun being out there in the middle with him with the silver fern on our chest.

“We were definitely pretty keen to try and stay out there as long as we could and try chase that total down. It wasn’t meant to be, that’s the nature of the game we play but we were never going to give up and we’re going to go right till the end.

“We’ve seen this game produce some pretty special things in its time, and if you don’t have that belief, that can’t happen.”

Q: Zooming out a little bit, you and several members of the team have been on the road for quite a while now, how is everyone feeling at the moment? Is there a bit of a challenge to not mentally check out, i.e. visualise yourselves on the plane back home before the second Test has started?

Daryl Mitchell: “Look, for us, we love playing Test cricket. It means a hell of a lot to this group to play Test cricket, and obviously the World Cup was an amazing experience in creating memories that we’ll never forget.

“But, at the same time, it’s the start of a new Test cycle, and we recognise as a group how special that is having won it [the World Test Championship] a couple of years ago now. Test cricket is bloody good, it’s so much fun. We’re excited to always put on those whites and get stuck in for our country and to know we’re home in a week’s time is nice as well; we’ll make the most of these next five days and get stuck in, and I’m sure we’ll enjoy a quiet one on the way home and get to spend some time with our family after that.”

Q: Is there one thing you really look forward to? What’s the one thing you do as soon as you get home?

Daryl Mitchell: “I’m a dad of two little girls, so I’m sure there’ll be plenty of time spent with them over the next few days once we do get home. Some tea parties or playing with dolls. Christmas is coming up, so we have to do some Santa shopping as well.

“It’s nice to have a balance outside of the game, and my family is a massive part of why I do what I do. It’ll be nice to see them after a Test victory, hopefully.”

Q: You’re back in New Zealand in a week’s time before you play Bangladesh again, this time in white-ball series. You two teams must be sick of the sight of each other?!

Daryl Mitchell: “Again, that’s the nature of playing international cricket is you go through phases where you play all three formats against teams. For me, it took a while to get to this stage to play international cricket, so I just love playing for New Zealand whether it means we’re playing the same team over the course of a month, that doesn’t worry me.

“Love being part of this group and love learning off a number of world class players within our side.”

Q: Looking back a bit further to the World Cup, that semi-final match in Mumbai; have you had the time to think back and reflect on it? What’s your overall experience and assessment of that game?

Daryl Mitchell: “I guess it’s the challenge of only having a couple of days off before you come straight into a Test series; your mind switches to preparing for a Test match, but obviously a very special tournament for us as a group and personally. I’m sure once I do get home and have that little time to reflect on what’s been in the last few months, it’ll probably sink in a bit more.

“But, we’re obviously gutted to have not gone the whole way and win that tournament. I thought we were in positions to try and win those games, but at the same time, when you come up against world class teams like India in Mumbai on that night; it was a pretty special night, and the crowd and the atmosphere are things that stick with you for life that’s for sure.”

Q: From a personal point of view, you played such an amazing innings in that match [semi-final vs India] and still ended up on the losing side. Does that make it feel worse or better in some ways that you have that personal satisfaction and did your utmost best to get your team over the line?

Daryl Mitchell: “It’s always bittersweet when you have your own personal success but it doesn’t eventuate in a win. It’s why we play the game, to try and win games. Again, for me, I’m a competitor; I just want to get stuck in and try help us win games for our country, so that’s always the challenge.

“But, that night was pretty special. I had my family there which was awesome that they were able to experience the Mumbai crowd and the noise that was created. It’s definitely something that we’ll talk about for a long time to come as a family, but, yeah, you’d much rather win games of cricket than not.”

Q: The atmosphere… Is it difficult to cope with the challenge of playing a Test a week later in quite a deserted place like Sylhet?

“I think that’s the cool thing about it is that it is a challenge and it is something that you tests you as a player; not just the crowds, not just the noise, but the ability to be as present as you can and get stuck into that moment whatever it might need to be.

“Again, that’s the cool thing about international cricket, it’s all different every country you play in and just accepting for what it is, and trying to be as present as a batsman to watch the ball and do the job.

Once you get into that zone, it probably doesn’t matter if there’s one person in the crowd or 100,000. You just try to be as present as you can and get the job done.”

Q: Looking at 2024 for you and the team, there’s lots of bilateral cricket, but there’s also the IPL, T20 World Cup, The Hundred… Do you draw breath at the start of each year and plan how the next 12 months might turn out as an all-format player?

Daryl Mitchell: “I struggle to look too far back or too far forward. But, at the same time, you prioritise what goals you want or what pinnacle events are coming up in the next period that you prepare for, and then you try and plan your preparation and games and what you want to do around that.

“Obviously, we have a home summer coming up with some big games with Test matches at the end against South Africa and Australia which will be really cool to have that at home.

“For the IPL, we’ll see what happens there and then the T20 World Cup which is exciting for us as a group having been in the final in Dubai and then the semis in Australia; we’re really looking forward to being part of that tournament getting stuck into trying to win some games of cricket and see what happens there.

“It’s an exciting six months coming up, and then after that it’ll keep going as well. So, I guess it’s being really clear on what you’re trying to achieve over that period and still making sure I can be a dad at the same time and get home and help out in between those things.”

Q: Just looking at that six-month period, if you had to pick one [series or tournament] that gets your juices flowing and really excites you, would you be able to pick one out?

Daryl Mitchell: “Nah, that’s the nature of being a three-format player is that they’re all pretty special in their own way. There’s some cool things coming up in the next six months, but if you look too far ahead, you can get ahead of yourself. It’s about making sure you concentrate on the next thing that’s in front of you.

“I love playing for my country, it means a hell of a lot, and to be able to do that…. it took me a long time to get here in domestic cricket, so I just want to make sure I keep getting better each day and help whichever team I’m playing for win games of cricket and hopefully have some fun along the way.”

Q: You’re a relative latecomer to international cricket. Does that influence your experience? Does that feel you’re making up for lost time at the moment as one of the premier multi-format batters in the world?

Daryl Mitchell: “I don’t think that’s the case. I think if anything I look at it as a blessing that it took me a while to get here. It allowed me to learn my game over a period of time at domestic level, and have some good years, some bad years and I think that’s helping me do well on the international stage.

“For me, I guess I’ve got a good perspective in life now with where I’m at, and I realise how grateful I am to get these opportunities to play for New Zealand and franchise stuff around the world…. it’s just making sure I don’t make it bigger than what it is. I make sure that I’m very grateful for these opportunities and just to enjoy the moment and be as present as I can, and enjoy trying to win games of cricket.

“That’s what drives me. Personal achievements and outcomes from that…. what will be will be, but just trying to really enjoy this phase of my life and allow myself to make the most of these opportunities because if you had asked me five or six years ago, I don’t think this would have happened, so that’s the perspective that I take on it.”

Q: Do you pinch yourself about where you are now?

Daryl Mitchell: “Yes, there’s definitely moments you make yourself aware of that as well. I think it’s a great way to ground yourself. We’re obviously a bunch of Kiwis down at the bottom of the earth taking on the world.

“When you’re in a semi-final like that, it’s taking in how special this opportunity really is and how cool it is… this is something that you dream of when you’re a kid to be a part of those moments.

“So, yeah, I think it’s good to be grounded and understand where you’ve come from and where you are right now. Again, it makes you grateful for these opportunities, and realise ‘yes, we take it very seriously trying to win games’, but it’s just a game, and it’s about being at peace with that… and if you’ve done the work, these rest will look after itself.”