Milne receives surprise call for T20

Young fast bowler Adam Milne has earned a surprise recall to the New Zealand cricket squad to compete in next month’s Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Milne played two Twenty20 internationals for New Zealand against Pakistan in 2010, aged 18, but has since been unable to reclaim a national team place in any format. Veteran left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori has been named in the 15-man squad announced Wednesday, but all-rounders Tom Latham and Andy Ellis, and batsman Dean Brownlie — who played in New Zealand’s most-recent Twenty20 series against the West Indies — have missed selection. As well as the September 18 to October 7 World Cup, the team will also play T20 internationals against India in India on September 8 and September 11.National selection manager Kim Littlejohn said the squad “has a good balance for Twenty20 cricket with explosive batsmen and a good mix of pace and spin bowlers.” Vettori will share the spin duties with young off-spinner Roneel Hira, while Milne joins a pace contingent which includes Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell and Kyle Mills. “Adam Milne has impressed during his time with the winter development squad and his extra pace offers something a little different,” Littlejohn said. “We are confident he will have an impact in international cricket and will seize this opportunity. “The squad also welcomes back James Franklin, who has been playing Twenty20 cricket for Essex in the county competition.”