Jacob Duffy replaces injured Adam Milne for New Zealand's European tour

New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne will miss the rest of their European tour due to an Achilles injury. Milne, who has not featured in any of the One-Day Internationals (ODI) against Ireland so far had initially felt some pain in his left Achilles tendon in the first net session in Ireland and further scans revealed that his injury would require a lot more attention.

As a result, fast bowler Jacob Duffy has been added to the squad. It was felt that Duffy, who made his ODI debut in the last game against Ireland deserved a place in the squad after spending a lot of time with the national team in the recent past to go with his show in the domestic circuit as well.

Coach Shane Jurgensen says that the entire team felt for Milne, but it is an opportunity for Duffy to show his worth.

“We’re naturally disappointed for Adam. He’s a great character in any team and I am sure he’ll apply his strong will to this next phase of rehabilitation,” he said.

“There is still a lot of cricket to come this year including the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia, and Adam is determined to make himself available to be part of that selection picture. We’re backing Jacob to step up. He’s made an exciting start to his white ball international career.

“He’s an established performer in our Dream11 Super Smash and showed on T20I debut against Pakistan that he can transfer those skills to international cricket.”

Following the conclusion of the final ODI against Ireland on Friday (July 15), the Blackcaps will travel to Belfast where they play three T20Is, starting Monday (July 18). Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Rippon and Ben Sears linked up with the team on Thursday (July 14), while James Neesham will join them after playing for Northamptonshire in the ongoing round of the County Championship.

New Zealand's European tour further includes white-ball series against Scotland and Netherlands as well. It will come to an end with a T20I against the Dutch on August 6.

Updated squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver (wk), Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rippon, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner