New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne has been ruled out of the World Cup, with coach Mike Hesson calling up Matt Henry to join the squad.
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Hesson said yesterday that a left heel injury had forced Milne out of the remainder of the tournament and the International Cricket Council cleared Henry to join the New Zealand line up “for the knockout stage.”.
Milne was an automatic choice as the third quick behind Tim Southee and Trent Boult, with Mitchell McClenaghan preferred ahead of Kyle Mills when a shoulder injury kept Milne out of the Bangladesh match.
Captain Brendon McCullum said the loss of Milne could force a rethink of New Zealand’s bowling strategy. “The way we have operated with Adam in that third seamer role has worked quite well for us coming in after our two opening bowlers swinging the ball.
“That doesn’t mean we have to roll out the same game plan or same strategy, but it has served us well over the last little while.”
Milne felt discomfort following New Zealand’s comprehensive quarter-final win against the West Indies on Saturday and a scan showed significant swelling around the heel.
“It’s certainly serious enough to rule him out of the tournament from a playing perspective. We’ve certainly got more tests to do in terms of the extent of it but we’re thinking more in weeks than longer than that,” added the captain.
Milne, who bowled Chris Gayle for 61 in New Zealand’s 143-run quarter-final victory, has taken five wickets for 199 in the tournament.
Henry, who has only played eight ODIs, has impressive career figures of 21 wickets at an average of 15.42.
Meanwhile, New Zealand great Martin Crowe yesterday praised Martin Guptill’s record-breaking World Cup feats after helping the batsman reinvent himself late in his career.
Guptill, who hit a World Cuprecord 237 not out against the West Indies, revealed that tips from Crowe had helped improve his batting, particularly his footwork and stance.
But Crowe said Guptill deserved the credit for being prepared to ask for help, then going back to the basics to alter his technique. “It’s a courageous move to rebuild at 28,” Crowe told Fairfax New Zealand.
