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New Zealand pacer Adam Milne has withdrawn from the white-ball squads for the upcoming ODI series in Pakistan and India due to concerns about his preparation.
Milne finished the recent home series against India with a tight hamstring and will now be replaced by fellow pace bowler Blair Tickner who is already in Pakistan with the New Zealand Test squad.
Despite playing the first two games of the Dream11 Super Smash season for the Firebirds, Milne considered the prospect of playing six ODIs in 16 days across Pakistan and India as too big a risk.
A decision was therefore made, by mutual agreement, to replace Milne with Central Stags pace bowler Blair Tickner, who is already over in Pakistan with the Test team.
Selector Gavin Larsen said the decision taken by mutual agreement was not an easy one.
“Adam was very up front with us about his concerns around the lack of one-day bowling loading for the upcoming tours,” Larsen said in a statement on Monday.
“After chatting to him, we agreed his preparation leading into the tour wouldn’t be sufficient for him to cope with the demands of back-to-back, three-game ODI series.
“We appreciate his honesty and his genuine desire not to let the team down.”
Tucker has taken nine ODI wickets since making his debut against the Netherlands in March 2022.
“Blair’s skills at bowling through the middle and his ability to hit the pitch hard make him a similar prospect to what Adam offered us.
“The fact he’s already in Pakistan experiencing the conditions is an added bonus,” said Larsen.
New Zealand will play the first ODI of the three-match series against Pakistan on January 9 in Karachi.
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