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Milne out of CWC semi against South Africa─── 08:36 Mon, 23 Mar 2015
The World Cup has reached the business end of the tournament with the all the semi-finalists being determined and the crunch matches start tomorrow in Auckland.
This past weekend the unbeaten Black Caps of New Zealand booked the last semi-finals spot by thumping the West Indies by 143 runs at the Cake Tin in Wellington.
The match saw Martin Guptill smash Chris Gayle short-lived record for the most runs in an innings at the World Cup by blasting his way to 237 not out off 163 deliveries in a knock which included 24 fours and 11 sixes.
The win saw the co-hosts set up a last four match again South Africa who are in the semi’s for the fourth time and are yet to advance into a championship match.
The match on the North Island gives the very confident Black Caps the slight edge going into the match, with the team knowing their home track all too well.
The team has however been rocked with the news that Adam Milne has been ruled out for the remainder of the World Cup through an injured heel.
The ICC’s Events Technical Committee has approved Matt Henry to come into the squad as a replacement for semi-final and final should they beat South Africa.
The Proteas in their turn have been further boosted with the news that they have a fully fit 15-man squad, however Vernon Philander will be re-assed as a precaution tomorrow ahead of the match.
After their outstanding 9 wicket will over the 1996 champions, Sri Lanka in their quarter-final, the Proteas confidence has been restored and they feel they can go all the way.
Speaking to the press in Auckland this morning, skipper AB de Villiers said he doubts his squad needs any motivation for the match.
Black Caps skipper, Brendan McCullum conceded that their news of Milne’s withdrawal has been a big blow for them, and said they will have to re-evaluate their game play for the match.
He further said he expects a good wicket at Eden Park, but doubts the ball will swing as much as during their game against Australia…and this too will have an impact on their dangerous attack up front.
Kiwi’s mentor Mike Hesson broke the news to Milne this morning that he will no long be part of the World Cup and said he took the news quite hard.
He further added that there was a lot of disappointment within the squad due to the player being popular among his team mates.
McCullum did emphasise that despite the injury, Milne will remain with the squad.
Tomorrow morning’s massive match in Auckland gets underway at 3am.
Morgan Piek / OFM News
Listen to the Cricket World Cup morning wrap - 23 March :
