McMillan drives New Zealand to 218
Brydon Coverdale
January 21, 2007
50 overs New Zealand 218 (McMillan 89, Clark 4-54, McGrath 3-24) v Australia
Craig McMillan guided New Zealand to their best total of the CB Series but their 218 was still below par after Australia's fast bowlers again rattled the top order at Sydney. McMillan led the recovery with 89 before the tourists were dismissed in the 48th over thanks to four wickets from Stuart Clark.
McMillan's 87-ball innings featured three sixes -- one was a spectacular cut shot over backward point off Brett Lee -- and demonstrated there were plenty of runs in the pitch after Stephen Fleming chose to bat. McMillan made the most of a lucky break on 1, when Asad Rauf gave him not out although he appeared to have edged Glenn McGrath to Adam Gilchrist.
Despite some wild shots early in his innings, he ensured the life was not wasted and finished with his best ODI score since 2002. McMillan and James Franklin added 57 in a 39-ball eighth-wicket partnership that restored some dignity to the New Zealand scorecard after they fell to 7 for 136. Franklin went on 18 when he pulled McGrath to Michael Hussey in the deep but McMillan had already done what was required to give the bowlers something to defend.
McGrath, who bowled an outstanding spell and took 3 for 24, finally had his revenge when he caught and bowled McMillan from a full-toss that was close to being called a waist-high no-ball. The final pair were unable to bat out the 50 overs and New Zealand's inability to compile a consistent, professional batting effort will again put their bowlers under pressure.
The top order again failed as Lee and Clark were rewarded for their hard work on a sweltering afternoon and movement in the air and off the pitch proved hard to combat. Clark finished with 4 for 54 -- his best ODI figures -- after New Zealand went after him from the word go.
Ross Taylor (26) skied Clark to Michael Hussey running back at mid off and Fleming fell in almost identical fashion from Clark's first ball. Fleming was one of the reasons New Zealand began so slowly; he took 43 deliveries for his 12.
Clark returned later in the innings to entice and edge to slip from Peter Fulton, who again made a start but fell for 19. Daniel Vettori gave Clark his fourth when his penchant for opening the face and running the ball to third man was exploited and he was caught by Ricky Ponting at a floating slip.
The innings began dismally as a terrific opening spell from Lee had the tourists 2 for 7 after six overs. Lee enticed an edge behind from Nathan Astle (0) in the third over and Hamish Marshall, who was brought in at the expense of Jeetan Patel to strengthen the batting, was caught behind off another fast Lee outswinger.
The top order again left too much work for the rest of the line-up and without Shane Bond and Patel, two of their best bowlers from the opening two games, New Zealand will face an uphill battle to restrict Australia.
Brydon Coverdale is an editorial assistant of Cricinfo
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