Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Matt Milnes is closing in on his Vitality Blast debut with Yorkshire.
Anthony McGrath says Vitality Blast winning all-rounder Matt Milnes deserves the rub of the green as he gets set for a first-team return following his back injury nightmare.
McGrath has praised the determination the 30-year-old has shown during a “rotten two years” luck wise at Headingley.
Milnes arrived at Yorkshire ahead of 2023 with a stress fracture suffered during the closing stages of his Kent career at the back end of the previous summer.
The Nottingham-born seam-bowling all-rounder rehabbed through that winter and debuted at the start of season but suffered a recurrence and was out again until that September. He only played twice in his first season with the White Rose.
Once again, he rehabbed through the winter and started last summer, playing two more Rothesay County Championship matches before reporting further issues.
Milnes returned to play second-team cricket late last summer, built up fitness through the winter again and has impressed in second-team cricket with ball and bat at the start of this summer.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Anthony McGrath has praised the resilience of Matt Milnes.
Now, the plan is for the 2021 champion with Kent to be in contention for the start of the latest edition of the Blast on Friday at home to Darren Lehmann’s Northamptonshire Steelbacks (6.30pm).
Milnes will play in one of the two second-team T20s against Lancashire at Headingley today, and if he comes through ok he will be considered for selection against the Steelbacks.
“He’s had two rotten years of luck with his injury,” said coach McGrath.
“We’ve taken some extra time this time round to give him longer, just to give him that more confidence in his body.
“Hopefully, he gets the luck he deserves because he’s worked really hard. Everyone’s willing him to come back and stay fit.
“I think it’s a nice way to bring him back in, bowling four overs rather than in a Championship game. If he can get through this phase, and we can manage him right, he’ll be ready for that second half of the season with a red ball.”
Picture by Ashley Allen/Getty Images. Matt Milnes celebrates taking a wicket during the 2021 Vitality Blast final between Kent and Somerset at Edgbaston, which his Kent side won.
McGrath continued: “I stayed down to see the second-team game against Essex at Billericay (between the Essex and Surrey first-team Championship matches), and he bowled really well there.
“It’s just that last bit now, getting him back and that belief in his body at first-team level.”
Milnes’ quality is undoubted. He is a potent seamer who has plenty to offer in the lower middle order with the bat. But he is yet to debut for the White Rose in T20.
“He’s a big player for us,” continued the coach.
“He was very successful down at Kent in T20s, and he’s very good in the powerplay.
“For players like that, you just want them to get a bit of luck don’t you?”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Matt Milnes has only played Championship cricket so far during his Yorkshire career.
As McGrath said, Milnes enjoyed success with Kent in the Blast, winning it four years ago. He took 22 wickets in 14 matches that campaign, the second best haul in the entire competition. He was the most prolific domestic bowler that campaign.
McGrath added: “He’s dying to get back and play. If he hits the ground running, great. But you’re out for two years in any sport, particularly in this sport, it can be tough.
“We’ve got to manage him and his expectations. But I’m sure once he gets back in and hopefully puts a big performance in early on, it will give him that confidence.”
Milnes will be part of an exciting looking bowling group for the Blast, which includes Jafer Chohan, who since the end of the last campaign has been picked in a senior England white-ball squad.
It also includes overseas signings Will Sutherland, the Australian seam-bowling all-rounder, and New Zealand quick Will O’Rourke.
“T20 is something we’ve spoken about and worked quite hard on in the winter,” said McGrath.
Picture by YCCC. Overseas signing Will Sutherland has been at Headingley since the middle of last week.
“Obviously, we’ve had a few moving parts with this IPL stuff and a couple of injuries. But Sutherland and O’Rourke coming in will give us that real star quality, and the players we’ve got within our own ranks as well.
“Confidence and belief should be high because I think we’ve got that balance.
“That’s what we’ve tried to do in the additions we’ve made.
“The spin, we’ve got left-arm spin, leg-spin and off-spin. We’ve got pace with O’Rourke and Sutherland with his all-round power. Obviously, Milnesy.
“Then, having Jonny, Mala and Lythy – real experience. I’m also looking forward to seeing people like Luxy, Wharts, Hilly and Rev.
“We’ve got options in all the different facets of the game.”
