International one-day cricket’s top ranked bowler, Kyle Mills, believes that if New Zealand wins more of its matches in all forms of the game and wins something big, more of its players will feature actively in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).
“If we win more and win something big, I think more New Zealand players will get games in the IPL. That is why there are a few mixed feelings around after the Champions Trophy. It was really great to make the final, but we make so few finals so to lose feels like an opportunity missed,” The Dominion Post quoted 30-year-old Mills, as saying.
The soon to be first-time father also said that he is determined to bulldoze his way back into the frame for the New Zealand Test and ODI sides.
Mills has moved to the top of the world’s one-day bowling rankings, but says that this latest accolade won’t carry him away.
“When I look at all the others bowlers behind me, they are awesome, so I can’t get too carried away but I’m quietly pleased. It is nice recognition of all the hard work I have put in over the last four to five years,” The Dominion Post quoted him, as saying.
“I wasn’t expecting it. I’m one of those types of players, who isn’t flashy. I just keep ticking over, do my thing, bowl line and length and try and have a low runs per over,” he added.
Mills moved to No.1 during some career-best form at the Champions Trophy in South Africa.
He replaced another line and length merchant in Sri Lankan Nuwan Kulasekara at No.1 with Daniel Vettori third, Bangladesh spinner Shakib Al Hasan fourth and Shane Bond fifth.
“I’ve had the computer analyst explain it to me. It is not done solely on how many wickets you take, it is more to do with who you got out. A top order batsman is worth more than a lower order one and a higher ranked team is worth more than a lower ranked one,” Mills said.
As for his Test spot, Mills surveys a growing bunch of candidates - Chris Martin, Iain O’Brien, Bond, Daryl Tuffey and Tim Southee.
Over the course of his 19-test career (44 wickets at an average of 33.02), Mills has had his moments. He is generally a handful in helpful New Zealand conditions, but hot weather and flat pitches on the Indian subcontinent can find him out.
Mills blames himself for losing his Test place against India last summer.
“Last summer I went searching too much. My whole game plan is trying to restrict and let them come to me but I was fighting for my place so I became more attacking. I’ve thought a lot about that.
Mills’ said he still had a massive desire to play Test cricket. "I feel like I’ve had success in Tests but it has never been consistent enough. It is the ultimate thing for a cricketer, it’s the true test for a player, it’s the hardest thing I’ve done in cricket,” he said.
