Milne: 5/11 was very special

Kent Spitfires paceman Adam Milne returned from injury to take a career-best 5/11 to complete a NatWest T20 Blast double against Somerset and keep quarter-final hopes alive.

The New Zealander devastated the Somerset line-up as he varied his pace with 15 dot balls in a wonderful 23-ball spell at Taunton.

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His figures were best ever recorded by a Kent bowler, surpassing the 5/17 by Wahab Riaz against Gloucestershire at Beckenham in 2011.

Speaking at stumps, Milne said: “It was very special to get five out there and even better for the team to get the win which we had to do.

“We have two more must-win games and the win will give us confidence.

“I tried to hit the wicket, Jimmy took a great catch and built up the pressure with a few dot balls and at the end, mixing up the pace by bowling a few slower balls into the wicket.

“That’s the benefit of being relatively quick, it means the change of pace is more effective.”

The New Zealander has nursed a thigh injury in recent weeks and made his comeback after a fortnight on the sidelines.

The 25-year-old said: “It’s lovely to come back and pick up some wickets. It’s always tough being out injured and watching the team go through ups and downs.

“The thigh is a bit tight so I’ll hope to do a bit rehab and have a massage. It should be fine for Thursday.”

The right-armer is relishing back-to-back matches, requiring two wins to reach the quarter-finals.

The Black Caps international said: “I’ve heard a lot of things about travelling to Chelmsford and playing Essex there. I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’ve got a few friends there.

“We had a cracker of a game against Surrey at The Oval earlier in the season so it will be a huge challenge again on Friday.

“If we can finish the group stage with three wins, that will set us perfectly for the knockout stages.”

He backed in-form Sam Billings to continue his fine recent form and become an England regular.

“Sam Billings has gone from strength to strength and is striking it nicely and found some real rhythm with his batting.

“He’s performed well in T20s all over the world and is a world-class batsman.”