New Zealand, after losing the plot versus Pakistan in the closing stages of their T20 World Cup opener at Sharjah, repose faith in their quicks to deliver against India in what’s going to be a crucial game in Dubai on Sunday.
What the Black Caps missed at Sharjah were the variations of Lockie Ferguson, who had performed admirably well for Kolkata Knight Riders during the IPL, but was ruled out prior to New Zealand’s opening game due to a calf tear.
The Kane Williamson-led side now looks forward to Adam Milne to complement Trent Boult and Tim Southee against India. The 29-year-old pacer, who used to be a footballer in his teens, instilled confidence in the team management, especially after his success at Birmingham Phoenix in the inaugural edition of The Hundred.
Milne also counts on his IPL experience with Mumbai Indians, where he has tried to pick up a few tricks from Jasprit Bumrah, which he will be looking to execute against Virat Kohli and Co.
“The IPL brings a really good opportunity for all overseas cricketers to work not only with the other overseas guys, but the Indian players as well. To watch Jasprit go about his work and sort of talk to him and learn off him has been really cool.
“And when I was with RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore), I was learning off some other guys there as well,” Milne said. “So the IPL not just provides a good experience but you also learn from the other overseas players and local Indians.”
In this IPL, though, Milne featured in just four matches for Mumbai, taking three wickets.
Milne already seems to have gone through a “roller-coaster ride” in the tournament. He was all set to play in the Pakistan game but after reaching the ground he came to know that the ICC was yet to approve him as Ferguson’s replacement.
That obviously didn’t go down well with the New Zealand camp as they then had to include leg-spinner Ish Sodhi in the XI.
However, Milne focuses on his recent performances that keep him optimistic ahead of the assignments ahead.
“I definitely feel like this has been the best period of cricket I’ve had in a long, long time,” he said.
