Injured Milne doubtful for rest of ODI series against India

Hamilton: Promising New Zealand pacer Adam Milne has been rendered doubtful for the rest of the ODI series against India after he sustained a side strain during the first ODI of the five-match rubber in Napier.

Milne, who returned with figures of one for 40 from his 7.3 overs in the first ODI yesterday, had an MRI scan after arriving here to ascertain the damage. According to a report in the New Zealand Herald, Milne will be out of action until at least the end of the ODI series against India.

The report added that according to medical advice Milne will take at least four to six weeks to get back to his full shape. Milne, who continuously clocked speed in excess of 150km/h in the first ODI, suffered the injury midway through his eighth over and the start of his third spell.

"It's tough for Milne to get injured bowling at that pace ... It doesn't look great," McCullum was quoted as saying by the newspaper. Milne's pace colleague Mitchell McClenaghan said he was "absolutely gutted for the man".

"He had his (T20I) debut (as an 18-year-old in 2010), went back (to domestic cricket) worked on his accuracy and returned. "To see someone bowl that quick and accurately is a throwback to the Shane Bond days," McClenaghan said.

'Consistent show against India will send message to top teams'

'Consistent show against India will send message to top teams'

Hamilton: Aggressive fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan said New Zealand will look to play attacking cricket in the five-ODI series and send a message to other powerful cricketing nations by some consistent performance against world champions India.

"These guys are good players but at no point are we going to back away from a fight," said McClenaghan, who had a slight verbal confrontation with Indian opener Rohit Sharma in the opening one-dayer in Napier.

"We're not going to be nice to them, we're going to get in their face and let them know that we're here and we're going to put our mark on the buildup to the World Cup."

New Zealand had notched up a 24-run win in the first one-dayer to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series and McClenaghan hoped some good showings will send the right message to other top teams.

"It's a huge series against one of the best sides in the world. Leading into a World Cup in our back yard we want to have consistency," McClenaghan was quoted as saying in a website.

"This is our best team that we can put out on the park. Hopefully we can let everyone know around the world that in our own back yard on our grounds and our decks we're not to be taken lightly come 2015."

India will take on New Zealand in the second one-dayer on Wednesday here.