New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne will not be able to participate in the remaining matches of the limited-overs tour of Europe, Due to an Achilles injury.
After a scan revealed that Milne’s recuperation timescale would likely only allow him to be eligible for the two T20I matches against the Netherlands in early August, it was agreed that he would return home. Milne complained of pain during the team’s first net session in Ireland.
Coach Shane Jurgensen said, “We’re naturally disappointed for Adam. He’s a great character in any team and I am sure he’ll apply his strong will to this next phase of rehabilitation
“There is still a lot of cricket to come this year including the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia, and Adam is determined to make himself available to be part of that selection picture.”
In the first two ODIs against Ireland, Milne was not a part of the Tom Latham-led team. Jacob Duffy, an Otago speed bowler who debuted in an ODI against Ireland in the second match, has been included in the T20I squad to face the Irish team. On his T20I debut against Pakistan in 2020, Duffy received Player of the Match honors for his outstanding statistics of 4/33, dismissing players like Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Hafeez.
Later in August, New Zealand will leave on a tour to the West Indies that includes three T20Is and three ODIs.
Milne’s international career has frequently been cut short by injuries. He was a member of the team that advanced to the T20 World Cup final, where they lost to Australia. Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Rippon, Ben Sears, and Jimmy Neesham, who did not play in the ODIs, are also included in New Zealand’s T20I squad.
New Zealand squad against Ireland looks as follows:
T20I squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Jacob Duffy, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rippon, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner