Kiwis thrive on the Milne X-factor

It is appropriate that Adam Milne made his international debut against Pakistan. The 18-year-old Kiwi , like Shoaib Akhtar, promises to provide the X-factor with his searing pace bowling.

It is appropriate that Adam Milne made his international debut against Pakistan. Although the 18-year-old Kiwi was handed a rude reception in that Twenty20 international in 2010, Milne, like Shoaib Akhtar, promises to provide the X-factor with his searing pace bowling.

Milne, only 21, electrified fans during Sunday’s first ODI win over India at the McLean Park in Napier, including two successive overs where he touched round about 150 kph each ball. If the home fans see in him a new Shane Bond, experts will be wary of injuries curbing Milne like it did to his predecessor after he pulled up with a side strain.

The youngster, who brings the rare quality intimidating batsmen with sheer pace, has an ally.

One of the first questions Corey Anderson was asked after his Man-of-the-Match effort was about the timing of his 40-ball 68 not out, coming close to next month’s IPL auction. And he did acknowledge it would be the talking point. Anderson’s clean hitting and seam bowling is sure to be a perfect fit for the T20 league. Beyond that the two promise to galvanise New Zealand, a team that has suffered in the past due to players not fulfilling promise.

After Shoaib and Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson showed in the Ashes what impact raw pace and aggression can have. Milne promises to stay fast. "It's about trying to maintain aggression. I was pretty skinny and runty when I first played so I’m coming into my body a little bit more," Milne said.

Former Kiwi pacer Brendon Bracewell, now a coach, picks out Milne’s clean action as a great asset. “As he goes on, the key is to bowl him in short spells, give lesser workload,” he told HT.