Milne returns for Black Caps
At a glance
As far as Mike Hesson is concerned, Adam Milne is a risk worth taking.
Along with fellow fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan and allrounder Corey Anderson, Milne was re-called when the New Zealand one-day squad for the Champions Trophy was named yesterday.
The 25-year-old quick was included in the 15-man group for the June tournament in England after an injury-plagued 2016.
Capable of bowling at more than 145kmh, Milne tore his hamstring one match into last year’s Indian Premier League and had elbow surgery a few months later. He returned to competitive cricket last month in the final three Plunket Shield matches for Central Districts, before heading for the lPL where has played two of seven matches for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Hesson was more than comfortable Milne was ready to for his international return, having not featured since the Twenty20 World Cup in March last year.
‘‘We had hoped to have him back for the South African [oneday] series, he just wasn’t quite ready,’’ Hesson said.
‘‘Luckily he was able to get through some good overs for CD. He was fine by the time he headed to the IPL and has continued his progress.
‘‘We are aware when you’re trying to bowl fast you’re prone to injury, but that is a risk you take.’’
Aside from out-and-out pace, Milne’s ability to open the bowling or bowl first change and his skills in the middle and death overs were a big selling point for Hesson and co-selector Gavin Larsen.
Those same attributes were front of mind with McClenaghan, who also hasn’t played for New Zealand since last year’s T20 World Cup.
The burly Auckland left-armer injured his pelvis playing T20 cricket for English county side Essex after that, then picked up an ankle issue. But he bowled plenty of overs for Auckland during the summer and has showed promising signs in the IPL, playing all seven games for Mumbai and taking 12 wickets in the process.
Hesson said McClenaghan was back to ‘‘pretty close to his best’’ and while perhaps not quite so glowing in his praise, expressed similar optimism about what Anderson could contribute.
The remainder of the squad was largely as expected, veteran spinner Jeetan Patel retained and opening batsman Tom Latham a wicketkeeping option alongside Luke Ronchi.
New Zealand play a four-match tri-series with hosts Ireland and Bangladesh from May 14-24, with those involved with the IPL coming back into the fold as their teams are knocked out of the tournament.