Ross Taylor captained New Zealand a second time in the opening match of the tri-series against India at Dambulla. And the Black Caps thrashed their more fancied opponents by a whopping 200 runs.
But with the Kiwis set to play a total of 14 Tests during the current cycle, Mitchell knows his side have plenty of work ahead before they think about a potential place in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in the middle of 2025.
Most sports in New Zealand, including the dominant rugby union, have said they were suffering financial pressure from the outbreak as broadcast, commercial, sponsor and ticket revenue all dried up.
'It is one of those things that every day, often, you are having small conversations about it'
NZ face WI in virtual knockout, rain threatens to derail England again
Chapman (57-ball 104 not out) combined with Jimmy Neesham (45) to overhaul the 194-run target and stun Pakistan
Tim Southee rescued New Zealand with the bat then dragged his side back into the match
Current calculations point to a World Cup semi-final between India and New Zealand in Mumbai, and pacer Trent Boult expressed hope that the aggressive approach of Rohit Sharma's side will give the Kiwis a chance to snap the hosts' red-hot run.
Skipper Kane Williamson was on Saturday ruled out of New Zealand's next three World Cup matches, including the India game.
'I'd like to probably err on the side of preparing him through red ball. We know how good a white-ball player he is so you put a priority on what it looks like next summer.'
Sri Lanka, who are third in the WTC rankings behind already qualified Australia and India, will need to beat New Zealand 2-0.
The agreement will see women's players at both international and domestic level receive the same match fees as men
New Zealand World Cup campaign on shaky ground as losses, injuries pile up
A massive turnout can be expected at Ahmedabad, however, when India face arch-rivals Pakistan on October 14.
New Zealand had it all under control in the third T20, with two runs needed off four balls and six wickets in hand to overhaul India's total, but they faltered.
The four best teams have made the semi-finals of the World Cup and New Zealand's clash with South Africa at Eden Park is going to be 'one heck of a show', according to coach Mike Hesson.
Aware of the dangers that spin wizard Rashid Khan poses as a bowler, New Zealand batters tried to work through his spell and were able to nullify the threat during their 149-run win over Afghanistan, said wicketkeeper-batter Glenn Phillips.
'India in their home conditions are a different beast and they have started unsurprisingly strongly - I see them as favourites to win the competition at this stage, no matter what happens in Dharmsala (on Sunday),' writes Ross Taylor in his column for ICC Media Zone.
Williamson suffered the injury while fielding for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League last Friday and returned to New Zealand.
The top-order has struggled immensely to contribute runs. In the opener, the Kiwis seemed down and out at 131-6, before number seven Michael Bracewell played a blinder to almost take them over the line.
Known for his tongue-in-cheek take on life and cricket, New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham believes focussing on the funny side of things helps him cope with difficult situations like the coronavirus pandemic currently sweeping through the world. Asked about the role humour plays in handling difficulties, the Black Caps all-rounder, who keeps his fans entertained with witty one-liners on his social media accounts, said it is vital when the going gets tough.
Virat Kohli struck a record 50th hundred and fast bowler Mohammed Shami's seven-wicket haul proved equally crucial as India overpowered New Zealand by 70 runs.
Tom Latham produced another masterful innings of patience and concentration as New Zealand turned the screw on Sri Lanka on the third day of the second Test at Hagley Oval, in Christchurch, on Friday.
The threat of rain looms large over the contest between the tournament's only two unbeaten teams.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum and senior batsman Ross Taylor will skip next month's limited overs series in Sri Lanka to prepare for December's home tests against West Indies, the country's cricket board said on Saturday.
Demoralised Bangladesh will look to end their campaign on a high when they face a rampaging New Zealand.
England will need to defeat Namibia in their last league match and hope that Scotland lose to Australia.
Pace spearhead Trent Boult has been omitted from the white-ball squad a few months after being released from his national contract.
This is a settled team and the majority of this squad will be available for the next World Cup, so they've got the building blocks of something very special.
When New Zealander Daryl Mitchell was bought for a whopping Rs 14 crore by Chennai Super Kings during the IPL auction, he was wrapping presents for his daughter's birthday at his home and his heartbeat increased when his name popped up on the screen.
The right-hander's form is a far cry from the man who blasted the Black Caps to the final four years ago on his way to finishing the tournament as the top run scorer.
Pacer Mohammed Siraj had reported a 'corrupt approach" to BCCI's Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) from an unknown person, who wanted 'inside news' about his team before Australia arrived in India.
Trent Boult produced an economical spell of bowling to take three wickets and help New Zealand to a tense three-run win over Sri Lanka in their first Twenty20 international on Thursday.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has been ruled out of Friday's fourth T20 International against in Wellington owing to a shoulder injury. Pacer Tim Southee is leading the Black Caps in his absence.
Having opted out of a New Zealand contract last year, pacer Trent Boult expressed his desire to play in the ODI World Cup.
Suryakumar continues to lead T20I rankings
Pakistan smashed their third highest One-day total of 364 in a crushing 147-run win over New Zealand to move 2-1 up in the five-match series on Sunday.
Australia dominated with bat, ball and in the field to post their second successive innings victory over Pakistan
Williamson, who returned from knee surgery for the World Cup and recovered from a fractured finger during it, missed the loss to India but is expecting a similarly tough test from the hosts who went unbeaten in the group stage.
The current cycle runs from July 2021 to June 2023 and comprises the top nine Test teams, all of whom will play six series each
