Twenty20 World Cup: Black Caps’ bowling stocks hit by injury as Adam Milne ruled out

Adam Milne is out of the Twenty20 World Cup. Photo / Photosport

Once again, the Black Caps’ bowling stocks have been hit by injuries on the eve of an international tournament.

Fast bowler Adam Milne has been ruled out of next month’s Twenty20 World Cup, after tearing a hamstring playing franchise cricket in South Africa.

Milne, 33, had been named for this year’s tournament in India, after appearing in the 2016 T20 World Cup in the same country.

However, after an injury playing for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in South Africa’s SA20, scans confirmed the tear to Milne’s left hamstring.

Milne had been a standout for Sunrisers in the SA20, taking 11 wickets in nine matches at an average of just 16.27, and an economy rate of 7.61.

“We’re all gutted for Adam,” coach Rob Walter said. “He’d worked so hard to get himself ready for the tournament and was looking back to his best in his eight games for the Eastern Cape Sunrisers.

“It’s unfortunate timing for Adam and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

Milne’s exit is a blow to New Zealand’s fast bowling stocks as Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson likely to miss parts of the World Cup on paternity leave.

Ferguson is also returning from a calf injury sustained in the UAE’s ILT20.

Kyle Jamieson has been added to the squad, after being named as a travelling reserve.

“It’s great that Kyle is already with us here in India,” Walter added.

“He’s an integral member of our pace-bowling group and has hit the ground running on this tour.

“He’s a hard worker with a good set of skills and experiences that will hold him in good stead for the tournament.”

Jamieson, 31, was also rushed into the Black Caps’ squad for last year’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan, after Ferguson was forced out at the last minute with injury.

There, he took three wickets in four games as New Zealand reached the final, where they were beaten by India in Dubai.