A little like the pure-bred sprinters on show at Royal Ascot this week, fast bowlers occasionally need to be wrapped in cotton wool and only released off the rein for full gallop on the big occasions – Kent’s new overseas firebrand, Adam Milne, is one such thoroughbred.
Signed principally for this season’s six-week, 14-match block of NatWest T20 Blast matches, the all-rounder from Palmerston North, New Zealand, clearly represents something of a risk worth taking as far as the Spitfires are concerned because the 25-year-old’s playing records reveal something of an open secret, in that his long-term injury record is far from great.
Since making his maiden first-class appearance in March 2010 Milne has played only 17 more red-ball matches. Yet, over the same period, he has won 55 caps for New Zealand in ODIs and T20Is and played 123 List A and T20 matches for Central Districts, New Zealand A and the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore.
He has suffered heel issues, picked up a hamstring tear and side strain and undergone surgery to an elbow injury in the past 18 months.
Yet, give him rest and recuperation and save him for the big day, then Milne can produce devastating, match-winning spells and the occasional delivery clocked at speeds in excess of 95mph.
Having rested for a fortnight since New Zealand’s disappointing ICC Champions Trophy elimination, Milne is now raring to go and looking forward to trotting out for the Spitfires.
“It’s a nice place and we’ve had some great weather of late which always improves your perspective on things,” said Milne on his arrival at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.
“Yes, it’s a wonderful cricket ground and I’m looking forward to playing here in the T20s with a few thousand people in the house. I guess if the punters like fast bowling and will be entertained by someone who can get it through at a reasonably fast click, then that’s what I hope to offer. Some genuine fast bowling and hopefully plenty of wickets.”
According to Matt Walker, Kent’s head coach, Milne could even be considered for a Specsavers County Championship debut ahead of Kent’s four-day, day/night clash with Nottinghamshire starting at Trent Bridge on Monday afternoon.
“Adam’s had a rest for a couple of weeks but Trent Bridge will present an opportunity to maybe take both our overseas players in Yasir Shah and Adam, look at the conditions and then make a choice,” said Walker.
“Looking ahead, you would think that quick seam bowling under lights and with the pink ball would be quite testing in that period of twilight when the dew starts to fall. But ultimately, our selection will be dictated by the pitch, our overall fitness and how we see the balance of the side once we get up to Nottingham.”
Having lost their unbeaten record to fellow promotion chasers Worcestershire this week, Kent will be hoping the return of Sam Billings from England international duty will spark an immediate return to form. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has yet to play a four-day game for the county in 2017.