But now he is in line to play his first game for the Black Caps on home soil since February 2024 and Milne emphasises that turning out for New Zealand is something he\u2019d never say no to. <\/p>\n
\u201c[It\u2019s been] up and down, it\u2019s been tough at times to come in and out of the side,\u201d he reflected. <\/p>\n
Black Cap Adam Milne bowls against Bangladesh in 2023. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud of the resilience that I\u2019ve shown to keep coming back and making the teams. It\u2019s always an honour to represent your country and be part of this team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s always what I look forward to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Considering his status as a casually contracted player, able to prioritise franchise Twenty20s over international cricket<\/a>, Milne has the right to make himself available for New Zealand when it suits him.<\/p>\n With what\u2019s to come in the next two years, though, wearing the silver fern will take on a much more central role.<\/p>\n By his own admission, the home 2015 World Cup \u2013 of which he played every game until picking up an injury for the semi-final thriller against South Africa \u2013 stands out as Milne\u2019s career highlight.<\/p>\n Of the squad who turned out in that 2015 tournament, only Tom Latham and Matt Henry join Milne as still playing internationally.<\/p>\n While it\u2019s premature to aim for a spot at next year\u2019s World Cup in South Africa, his status as a T20 specialist, having not played a One-Day International since November 2024, could count against him.<\/p>\n After that, though, the 2028 T20 World Cup \u2013 co-hosted by New Zealand \u2013 will give the Black Caps the chance to emulate the 2015 side, albeit wanting to go one better than losing the decider to Australia.<\/p>\n Given his record of 65 wickets from 56 T20s for the Black Caps, at an average of just under 25, in combination with his pace and skill, Milne would be close to an automatic selection, if fit.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m taking each game as it comes at the moment, with the age and the injuries,\u201d he professed.<\/p>\n \u201cBut there\u2019s always that lure of something in the future you want to be part of. I want to play as much as I can for New Zealand, whilst making the most of the opportunities I have in franchise cricket as well.<\/p>\n \u201cIt feels so far away, but having experienced that 2015 World Cup, that was some of the most amazing cricket in my life, with how well we were supported, how we got on that roll through that World Cup and the feeling of New Zealand getting right in behind the team was amazing.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you look at the progression of that World Cup to how the team\u2019s supported now, it\u2019s only continued to go up. I\u2019d love to see what that will look like in 2028.\u201d<\/p>\n Away from the international game, Milne is also qualified to lead New Zealand\u2019s cricketers into the future of the sport.<\/p>\nAdam Milne appeals to the umpire during the 2021 Twenty20 World Cup in the UAE. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n