"It's funny but since I was 17 or 18 people have said that," Milne said.
"I've never intentionally tried to mimic Bondy's action. I guess maybe from watching him at an early age I might have picked up a couple of things. It's just the way it's happened.
Until perhaps a year ago, Milne, 22, was considered a luxury in the New Zealand side.
His early limited-overs numbers were not flash. But his performance in the United Arab Emirates against Pakistan in December, coupled with encouraging New Zealand A form shot his name firmly into what had long been a six-into-five-won't-go situation for World Cup seam bowling spots.
Canterbury's Matt Henry, despite a fine effort in the UAE where he took 13 wickets, easily the best on either side, was the luckless sixth man.
Milne's performances on unhelpful pitches firmed his prospects. When he is firing he re-emphasises the frisson of excitement that the really slippery bowlers bring to the crowd, not to mention the batsman.
One recent period in the fourth ODI in Abu Dhabi sticks in the mind.
On his way to a fine 103, Pakistan veteran Younis Khan, statistically his country's finest batsman, a brave, experienced and resolute fighter, was put through the wringer by the Palmerston North quick.
Younis had to scrap for dear life, facing 25 deliveries from Milne, frequently over the 150km/h mark, and scored just five singles off him.
It was a thrilling vignette, and combined with impressive economy rate, surely helped his World Cup case.
"I thought I bowled probably the best I have for New Zealand in the UAE, " Milne said. "I didn't get many wickets, but my accuracy was the best it's been, and I've managed to keep the rhythm over a few one-day games for Central Districts [since returning home]."
Retaining the ability he's been blessed with to deliver the ball with searing pace, while tidying up his accuracy, has been a work in progress for several years.
"Slowly it's all pulled itself together and I've been strong enough to hold my action and grooving it to something that's pretty simple that I can repeat over and over again, and manage to get that consistency at the other end."
He's been lucky to avoid shoulder or back problems. Shins have messed him about though. Right now he's fully fit and provides a point of difference from other New Zealand seamers. Sheer pace.
The fastest bowler in the world? Prune the list to, in no order, Mitchell Johnson, Dale Steyn and Milne and that's about it. In the UAE, Milne was regularly in excess of the magic 150km/h.
So is striving to be known as The Quickest Gun important to him?
"I'm sure any young fast bowler would like to be known like that.
"But realistically the fastest ball is 161km/h so I'm still a good 8km/h off. Whether I could get that, it's not the ultimate goal. If I could bowl quicker and quicker that would be awesome.
"But I just want to get consistent at that pace and try and trouble batsmen."
The record for the fastest delivery sits with Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar, who clicked over at 161.3km/h against England at the 2003 World Cup, closely followed by Australians Brett Lee and Shaun Tait, who both recorded 161.1km/h.
Milne is also conscious of another element in the equation.
"It would be exciting to be known as fastest bowler currently in the world but when it all comes down to it no one is going to remember if you were going 10 an over bowling 150km/h.
''If I can take wickets, bowl consistently and be part of a good team environment, winning games, then you'll be remembered for that."
So is there a sense that he's delivered a seriously quick ball as it leaves his hand, and before he's glanced at the speed gun? Yes and no.
"Sometimes. You look up and see 150 and it's a shock because it all came out easily. When you bowl your quickest sometimes it all comes naturally and it's easy and smooth.
"The less complicated you make it the quicker you bowl. That's the challenge."
Milne's World Cup teammate, veteran seamer Kyle Mills, has no doubts of the value Milne offers.
"Any batsman facing balls of 150km/h, you're slightly on the back foot. You have the ability to put intimidation and fear into opposing batsmen. It's uncomfortable out there, but it's exciting for us."
- David Leggat of the New Zealand Herald
