New Zealand were dealt a setback in the ongoing ODI series against India after pace sensation Adam Milne was ruled out owing to a torn abdominal muscle.
Medium-pacer Hamish Bennett has been called up as his replacement in the Black Caps’ squad, which won the first ODI of the five-match series in Napier on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Milne played in the first ODI at Napier on Sunday and picked up one wicket in 7.3 overs that he bowled, before walking off in the 41st over of the Indian chase.
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It was only his seventh ODI in a short career so far, wherein he has earned quite a reputation as a tear-away fast bowler.
He clocked a 153 km/hr delivery against West Indies in the first T20 International at Auckland in their recently concluded tour. The young pacer had made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in November 2012.
Milne had an MRI in Hamilton on Monday, after the team arrived from Napier.
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The team’s physiotherapist Paul Close said, “The scan showed Milne has torn an abdominal muscle and will need a rehabilitation period of around six weeks.”
The young player will also be seeing a specialist in Auckland later today for further assessment.
His replacement from Canterbury, 26-year-old Bennett joined the team in Hamilton ahead of training for the second ODI tomorrow.
He has picked 20 wickets in 12 matches for New Zealand, the last of which was a group-stage clash at Mumbai against Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup.