Williamson's absence gives us opportunity to try out new formations: Mitchell

New Zealand are without Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and Tim Southee in the ongoing three-match ODI series against India but all-rounder Daryl Mitchell feels their absence is giving them an opportunity to try out new formations and different balances.

"Not having Kane here I think is a great opportunity for the group to test out some new formations and different balances and give some of the guys the experience of playing in India,” Mitchell said on the eve of the third ODI in Indore. 

“I think it's a great chance for us to keep building to where we want to be as a group.”

New Zealand haven’t been at their best in this series, with the top-order struggling to get runs. Chasing a target of 350 in the first ODI, the visitors were reduced to 131/6 before Michael Bracewell played a blinder and almost got them over the line.

However, such wasn’t the case in the second encounter as New Zealand were bundled out for just 108 in Raipur and lost the game by eight wickets. The Men in Blue now have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

"Everyone knows that games of cricket like the other day (second ODI) happen, it's the nature of the game, you lose the toss and get out on a slightly challenging surface,” he added. 

"As a group, we are pretty liberal we don't run the highs too much or the lows. Just stay consistent. So, really excited about tomorrow."

New Zealand might have lost the series but the 50-over World Cup will also be played in India later this year and Mitchell feels a win in the final ODI will serve as a good morale booster for the unit.

"For us, it's about adapting to the situations out here, communicating as a group especially the opening partnerships, what the surface is doing and how we want to go about it.”