The Black Caps’ forgotten man
Less resilient folk than injury-riddled Black Caps speedster Adam Milne might have long chucked it in.
It would be tough to name an elite New Zealand sportsperson who’s endured a rougher injury ride than Milne – his bright career stalled by setbacks.
Now 27, Milne burst on the scene making his Black Caps debut as a fresh-faced 18-year-old in 2010.
With express pace, once sending down a 153kmh rocket against India in 2014, the right-arm quick was a point of difference and set for stardom.
Milne has been New Zealand cricket’s mystery man of late – grounded by a troublesome left ankle injury.
He hasn’t been spotted in domestic cricket for the Central Stags this summer. His last appearance for New Zealand was in November, 2018, in a T20 against Pakistan in Dubai – coach Gary Stead’s first tour in charge.
Milne underwent keyhole surgery on his ankle on January 24 – an injury that has caused him no shortage of frustration in recent years.
He had surgery on the same ankle in England in August (for a stress fracture) after playing for Kent in the T20 Blast – his third season with the English county side.
Hoping to make a return for the Stags, Palmerston North-raised Milne played as a batsman only in a Hawke Cup game for Manawatu¯ against Hawke’s Bay in December.
In their next outing against Horowhenua-Kapiti he tried bowling a few overs, but aggravated his ankle – an issue which first caused him discomfort at the 2017 Champions Trophy.
For a man who’s also undergone elbow surgery twice and battled hamstring and heel problems, the latter which cut short his 2015 Cricket World Cup tournament, it’s another cruel blow.
Others in Milne’s situation might have considered quitting cricket – fed up with recovery and time on the sideline, but not him.
He has strong aspirations to add to his 40 ODIs and 21 T20s for New Zealand and believes better days are ahead.
‘‘Maybe I’m slightly naive, but I still feel like I’ve got a lot to give cricket,’’ he told Stuff.
‘‘I’m 27, I still love playing the game. I still love running in and trying to bowl fast. I think that’s what’s kept me pushing forward.
‘‘I know I’ve still got a lot to offer cricket domestically. I still believe I can play internationally and still believe if I get back fit and healthy I’m still one of the better bowlers in New Zealand.’’
Seven weeks post ankle surgery, Wellington-based Milne is upbeat about the future.
He doesn’t have a job outside cricket and isn’t studying, putting all his energy into getting his ankle right and back to the bowling crease.
Milne is bowling off a few steps and all going well could be off his full run by the end of March.
‘‘It will be about increasing the intensity from there in terms of trying to send it down. I’m hopeful by the end of March-April, I’ll be feeling pretty good.’’
Then it’s a matter of building up his confidence and rhythm and getting through the overs.
His agent had been in talks about heading to Kent again over the Kiwi winter, but given his ankle issues and lack of recent cricket, it is up in the air.
Milne takes comfort from a chat with England fast bowler Mark Wood, who has battled left ankle problems most of his career.
Wood was able to feature in England’s 2019 World Cup triumph on home soil, capturing 18 wickets, and delivered some of his best bowling.
Trying to remain positive through injuries was challenging and Milne admitted it hadn’t been easy.
‘‘There’s been some really tough moments throughout the last few years coming back from injury. Feeling great and getting back into it, then it comes back again and knocks you back a bit.
‘‘It’s always a process and as everyone will tell you with injuries you go through your highs and your lows.’’
The Black Caps have Lockie Ferguson’s express pace, and a strong army of white ball pace bowlers, including Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and veteran Tim Southee.
Stead said Milne had to prove he could stay healthy through domestic cricket. Do that and he’d give himself every opportunity for higher honours.
‘‘He’s had a wretched run of injuries and unfortunately for him that’s held him back from us being able to look at him further.
‘‘First and foremost he needs to get himself right and get himself back on the park and when he does that we have something better we can measure him on.’’
New Zealand’s next pinnacle event is the T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November with another T20 World Cup in India the following year.
This year’s showpiece seems a stretch for Milne, but he wasn’t ruling it out.
His T20 numbers are encouraging, taking 25 wickets in 21 matches in the black shirt at an average of 21. He averages 22 with the ball in all T20s at an economy rate of 7.65.
Despite his horror injury history, he didn’t have any plans to shelve red ball cricket yet to concentrate on the shorter forms.
‘‘My focus right now is to get back bowling pain-free and get everything feeling nice and get some game-time somewhere and do well on the field.
‘‘If I’m bowling well then that gives the selectors a tough decision to make.’’
Milne counts Boult and Southee among mentors he speaks to about fast bowling.
Former Black Caps quickturned T20 coach Shane Bond, whose short, outstanding career was ruined by back stress fractures, is another.
England stalwart James Anderson has shown pace bowlers can flourish late into their careers. Milne was adamant he was far from washed up at 27.
‘‘A lot of bowlers almost hit their prime at mid to late 20s. I’m hoping that can be the same for me.
‘‘I’m very hopeful that once I move past this ankle issue, I’ve got a lot of cricket left out there for me.’’
‘‘I still love running in and trying to bowl fast.’’