Wellington: Blackcaps have made a change to their white-ball squads for the upcoming series in Pakistan and India with Adam Milne withdrawing due to concerns about his preparation.
Milne who suffered from a tight hamstring during the recent home series against India will be replaced by fellow pace bowler Blair Tickner who is already in Pakistan with the New Zealand
Test squad.
The prospect of playing six ODIs within the span of 16 days across Pakistan and India was considered too big of a risk by the fast bowler, ICC reported.
The decision was made by mutual agreement, with selector Gavin Larsen saying the decision 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.
“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," he said.
“We appreciate his honesty and his genuine desire not to let the team down,” Larsen added.
Tickner has nine ODI wickets to his name since making his debut against Netherlands in March 2022.
Larsen said, “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,” he said.
New Zealand will play the first of three ODIs against Pakistan on January 9 in Karachi.
New Zealand ODI squads for series against Pakistan and India
Kane Williamson (c) (Pakistan ODIs only), Tom Latham (captain - India ODIs), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman (India ODIs only), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy (India ODI’s only), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Blair Tickner, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (Pakistan ODIs only).
