Adam Milne Ruled Out of 2026 T20 World Cup with Hamstring Injury; Kyle Jamieson Named Replacement

In a significant blow to New Zealand's pace bowling arsenal, Adam Milne has been ruled out of the 2026 T20 World Cup after sustaining a hamstring injury during the SA20. The experienced fast bowler will be replaced by tall seamer Kyle Jamieson, who has been elevated from the traveling reserve.

The Injury That Changed Everything

Milne's tournament came to an abrupt end during his first over for Sunrisers Eastern Cape against MI Cape Town last Sunday. Subsequent scans revealed the extent of the hamstring tear, confirming that the 32-year-old would be unable to recover in time for the marquee event.

The timing couldn't have been worse for Milne, who had been showcasing impressive form throughout the SA20. In eight matches for Eastern Cape Sunrisers, he claimed 11 wickets at an average of 16.27 with an economy rate of 7.61 – numbers that highlighted his readiness for the World Cup.

Coach Rob Walter Expresses Disappointment

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter didn't hide his disappointment at losing a key member of his pace attack.

"We're all gutted for Adam. He'd worked so hard to get himself ready for the tournament and was looking back to his best in his eight games for the Eastern Cape Sunrisers. It's unfortunate timing for Adam and we wish him a speedy recovery."

Kyle Jamieson Steps Up

The silver lining for the Black Caps is that Jamieson is already with the squad in India, making the transition seamless. The towering seamer, who returned to international cricket late last year following a back injury, has been in encouraging form.

Jamieson announced his return to top-level cricket with a career-best 4 for 41 in the first ODI against India earlier this month, demonstrating that he's primed for the challenge ahead.

Walter's Confidence in Jamieson

"It's great that Kyle is already with us here in India. He's an integral member of our pace-bowling group and has hit the ground running on this tour. He's a hard-worker with a good set of skills and experiences that will hold him good stead for the tournament."

Squad Flexibility and Further Changes

With squads open for amendments until January 31, New Zealand retains the flexibility to make additional changes without requiring ICC approval. Any replacements after that deadline will need official sanction from the governing body.

The team is also navigating potential availability concerns, with Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson potentially taking brief periods of paternity leave during the tournament.

Road to the T20 World Cup

New Zealand's World Cup preparations continue with the ongoing T20I series against India, which has four matches remaining. The schedule ahead includes:

• February 6: Warm-up fixture against USA in Mumbai
• February 8: Tournament opener against Afghanistan in Chennai

A further traveling reserve will be added to the squad prior to the tournament, providing additional cover for the pace bowling department.

Looking Ahead: New Zealand's Pace Bowling Prospects

While losing Milne is undoubtedly a setback, Jamieson's inclusion adds a different dimension to New Zealand's attack. His height and ability to extract bounce could prove valuable on Indian surfaces, and his recent form against India suggests he's ready to make an immediate impact.

The Black Caps will hope that their remaining pacers stay fit as they prepare to challenge for T20 World Cup glory. For Milne, the focus now shifts to recovery and rehabilitation, with eyes potentially on future assignments for the national team.