Mitchell Hay is quickly becoming a name to watch in international cricket. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman from New Zealand turned heads during the recent ODI series against Pakistan, delivering a match-winning knock that has cricket fans buzzing.
Early Life and Career of Mitchell Hay
Mitchell Hay was born on August 20, 2000, in Christchurch, New Zealand. His consistent performances in domestic cricket helped him earn a spot in the national squad, and he made his international debut in November 2024. Mitchell Hay is not just a powerful hitter; he’s also making a mark as a top-class wicketkeeper. In only his second T20I match, he pulled off six dismissals in a single innings, setting a new world record. So far, he has already collected 24 dismissals in just 10 T20Is, which is quite impressive for someone so early in their career.
Mitchell Hay Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike-Rate | Highest Score | 50/100s |
| ODIs | 6 | 158 | 52.66 | 104.63 | 99 | 1/0 |
| T20Is | 10 | 85 | 14.16 | 130.76 | 41 | 0/0 |
| First-Class | 22 | 1484 | 47.87 | 53.43 | 146 | 13/1 |
| List-A | 35 | 799 | 26.63 | 83.75 | 99 | 6/0 |
| T20s | 46 | 474 | 16.34 | 140.65 | 73 | 1/0 |
Mitchell Hay’s Knock That Got Everyone Talking
In the second ODI against Pakistan, New Zealand was in trouble at 132 for 5. That’s when Mitchell Hay stepped up and played the innings of his life. He scored an unbeaten 99 runs off just 78 balls, smashing 7 fours and 7 sixes, and helped New Zealand reach a solid total of 292/8. His fearless batting not only rescued the innings but also secured an 84-run win for New Zealand. For his brilliant effort, he was rightly named the Player of the Match.
Interestingly, Hay became just the 16th player in ODI history to remain not out on 99 and only the third wicketkeeper to do so, joining the likes of Andy Flower and Swapnil Patil in this rare feat.
With such an explosive start, Mitchell Hay looks like he could be a big part of New Zealand’s future in both white-ball formats. His fearless batting, quick reflexes behind the stumps, and calm under pressure make him one of the most exciting young talents to emerge in recent times. Fans will surely be keeping a close eye on him in upcoming matches. If this unbeaten 99* is anything to go by, Mitchell Hay is just getting started.
