Cricket: Milne's pace puts him in World Cup frame

Adam Milne. Photo / Getty Images

Adam Milne has been given a royal opportunity to push for a place in the World Cup squad.

The Central Districts speedster, who played the last of his seven ODIs against India in Napier last January, was yesterday included in a squad of 15 for five ODIs and two T20s against Pakistan, starting in Dubai on Thursday night.

Milne, 22, offers a significant point of difference. He is distinctly quick, which could add a fresh dimension to the seam attack for the World Cup. He's taken only two ODI wickets at 106 runs apiece, but he's on the rise and a strong showing in the United Arab Emirates could nudge him across the selection line.

The New Zealand squad of 15 is due to be named just before the seven-game ODI series against Sri Lanka starts in early January, so this is the final chance for players to impress.

Other interesting aspects about the squad are the inclusion of Northern Districts' versatile Anton Devcich, who has made a strong fist of opening for New Zealand A in the UAE in the past week, and Dean Brownlie getting his chance.

Devcich must be viewed as a possible opening contender, given that it is one area in which New Zealand are having a head-scratching time at present. Devcich could ease that with solid form against Pakistan.

Brownlie has missed out in each of the NZ A games, and needs runs if he is to be a chance to nab the spare batting spot.

Kane Williamson will extend his captaincy experience in the absence of Brendon McCullum who, along with senior seamers Tim Southee and Trent Boult, is flying home early to prepare for the arrival of Sri Lanka, who play two tests, from Boxing Day, before their ODI rubber.

Leading seamers Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir are back in the Pakistani squad for the limited-overs matches, while star batsman Younis Khan has been recalled for the ODIs.

The squad
New Zealand limited overs squad to play Pakistan: Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Anton Devcich, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Dean Brownlie, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Jimmy Neesham, Nathan McCullum, Dan Vettori, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan, Matt Henry, Adam Milne.