New Zealand’s preparations for the upcoming ICC Twenty20 World Cup have been dealt a blow after fast bowler Adam Milne and all-rounder Michael Bracewell sustained injuries in the lead-up to the tournament, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7.
Milne injured his left hamstring while bowling for Sunrisers Eastern Cape during a SA20 fixture on Sunday. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday that the pacer is currently undergoing medical assessment to determine the extent of the injury.
Bracewell, meanwhile, suffered a left calf strain while fielding in the third and final One-Day International against India in Indore on Sunday. NZC said the all-rounder will receive treatment and be closely monitored over the coming days before a decision is made regarding his continued involvement in the tour.
In response to the injury concerns, all-rounder Kristian Clarke has been added to the squad as cover for the first three Twenty20 Internationals of the five-match series against India, which gets underway on Wednesday.
Head coach Rob Walter highlighted the logistical challenges facing the squad, noting the significant player movement in recent weeks. “We’ve got a fair bit of player movement at the moment, with some players returning from injury for this series, others joining us directly from franchise cricket, and the rest coming off the India ODI series,” Walter said.
He added that Clarke’s inclusion would bolster the team’s pace-bowling resources early in the series. “We want to ensure we’ve got enough pace-bowling options for the first three games, and it’s a great opportunity for Kristian to stay on with the group a little longer on his first tour of India. He certainly showcased his talent in the ODI series, but what stood out was his calmness and ability to perform under pressure.”
New Zealand will open their T20 World Cup campaign in Group D against Afghanistan in Chennai on February 8.