Call-up surprises teenager Adam Milne

Adam Milne, the 18-year-old Central Districts fast bowler who has been named in New Zealand's squad for their Twenty20 series against Pakistan, has said he was surprised by the call-up in just his first year of senior cricket, but was excited at the opportunity.

"I think they [the selectors] just picked me on what I've done so far," Milne, who has also been named in the 30 probables for the 2011 World Cup, told the regional newspaper Manawatu Standard, "They want me to go out there, and do what I have been doing, and bowl at a good pace." Just over a year ago, Milne was still playing school cricket and he only made his first-class debut in March 2010, when he took 4 for 52 for Central Districts against Canterbury.

Milne made his Twenty20 debut for Central Districts in their Champions League T20 campaign in September, during which he was clocked at 145kph. Milne said he has probably been bowling faster during the 2010-11 domestic season in New Zealand, where speed guns aren't being used. Shane Bond, the Central Districts Twenty20 bowling coach, tipped him to get even quicker with age, and Milne agreed it was a possibility. "I'm sure there could be [an increase in pace] if I got a little bit stronger and worked a few things out," he said.

Milne was given a contract with Central Districts only two months ago and has played three first-class matches and eight domestic Twenty20 matches. His Central Districts coach Alan Hunt said Milne wasn't a finished product but merited a chance in the national team. "In my view he needs a bit more time yet," Hunt said. "But he's certainly a raw talent and if they want to try somebody, why not him I guess."

Milne's selection came just two weeks after the newly-appointed national selector Lance Cairns told the Manawatu Standard he wanted to see Milne given time to play more domestic cricket.

New Zealand's three-match Twenty20 series against Pakistan starts on December 26 in Auckland. Ross Taylor will captain the side with Daniel Vettori rested.