Kyle Mills

Profile

Time and again, injuries have been the single largest stumbling block in the career of Kiwi speedster Kyle Mills. But it is laudable that his performances have not been affected by his niggles and he has emerged as one of the most established bowlers in the Kiwi side.

After debuting for Auckland in 1998, Mills switched loyalties to Lincolnshire in 2001 and in the same year made his ODI debut against Pakistan. Over the next two years, he made fleeting appearances in ODIs including the 2003 World Cup, where he played a solitary game. Mills got his first break in Test cricket in 2004 but his debut proved to be a totally forgettable outing with a side strain ruling him out of the remaining tour. His ODI career was however going great guns with the 2005-06 season yielding 19 wickets which included a memorable 4-44 against South Africa at Cape Town.

An injury prior to the 2007 World Cup ruled him out of the event but his agony refused to cede even following a long rehabilitation as a stomach bug ruled him out of a Test against South Africa in 2007. But Mills buried his injury demons against the Africans in the following ODI series scalping 8 wickets which included his first five-wicket haul. He also played a major role in New Zealand’s 2009 World Twenty20 campaign and starred in the following ICC Champions Trophy where the Black Caps reached the tournament final.

Not an express pace bowler, Mills generally relies on his full length and ability to swing the ball. A decent batsman, his talent with the willow has been negated with the presence of quality all-rounders. The likes of Oram, Tuffey and Butler have also showed their mettle in his absence making each comeback all the more tough. But statistics show that Mills has been one of the strongest ODI bowlers in recent years and his low-key profile only means that the quickie hasn’t got due credit.

Fast Facts

• At the end of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2009, Kyle Mills was the number one bowler in ODIs in the world.

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Career

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