Inexperienced fast bowler Matt Henry may make his World Cup debut in the semi-finals after a heel injury ruled speedster Adam Milne out of New Zealand’s lineup against South Africa. Milne felt pain from a heel injury after Saturday’s quarterfinal win over the West Indies, and scans showed significant swelling, forcing New Zealand on Monday to rule him out for the remainder of the tournament. The 23-year-old Henry has played only eight one-day internationals and could be propelled unexpectedly into his ninth, in front of a capacity crowd at Eden Park on Tuesday, as New Zealand attempts to reach a World Cup final for the first time.
Coach Mike Hesson said New Zealand would decide on its lineup after studying pitch conditions on Tuesday morning. It has a range of options to replace Milne: fast and bouncy Mitchell McClenaghan who took Milne’s place when he was ruled out of New Zealand’s final pool match against Bangladesh with a shoulder injury; the 36-year-old Kyle Mills, who lacks a yard of pace but brings the experience of 170 ODI’s or the left field possibility of choosing Nathan McCullum as a second spinner.