da luck： Craig McMillan’s potential has never been questioned, and he has lived up to it on plenty of occasions
da bet vitoria： Cricinfo staff17-Oct-2007
Craig McMillan made 142 in a Man-of-the-Match effort against Zimbabwe in December 2000 © Getty Images
May 1997 – At 20, makes his one-day international debut against Sri Lanka at Hyderabad. Scores 10 as a fragile New Zealand batting order falls 53 short of its target.November 1997 – Has more success in his Test debut, scoring 54 against a strong Australia at Brisbane. Would prefer to forget the second innings, when Glenn McGrath trapped him lbw first ball.February 1998 – Takes advantage of a weaker opponent, Zimbabwe, to score his maiden Test century at Wellington in his fourth match. Displays the style he will become known for by bringing up the milestone with a six over long-on and finishes with 139.May 1998 – Strikes a blistering 142 from 179 balls in a Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo, launching six sixes and helping New Zealand to a comfortable victory.August 1999 – Scores an unbeaten 107 in the third Test against England at Old Trafford. He struggles through the rest of the tour but New Zealand register an important 2-1 series win.December 2000 – Joins with Nathan Astle to set a New Zealand Test record fifth-wicket partnership of 222 against Zimbabwe at Wellington. McMillan’s contribution is 142 and he earns the Man-of-the-Match award.February 2001 – Scores his first ODI century in crunching style, belting five sixes on his way to 104 from 75 balls against Pakistan at Christchurch. He equals Chris Cairns’ record for the fastest ODI hundred by a New Zealand player.March 2001 – Breaks the record for most runs in a Test over when he clubs 26 from Younis Khan’s part-time legspin at Hamilton. McMillan makes batting look ridiculously easy, hitting five fours – including three reverse- pulls and scoops – and one six.October 2003 – After being dropped from the tour of Sri Lanka earlier in the year, McMillan returns with a superb fighting 83 not out against India at Ahmedabad to save New Zealand from what looked like a certain defeat. In the second Test at Mohali, he is one of four batsmen to score a century, but his unbeaten 100 is his last Test hundred.
McMillan made a strong comeback after losing his national contract, hurting Australia in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in February 2007 then becoming New Zealand’s top run-scorer at the World Twenty20 © Getty Images
November 2004 – McMillan clashes with Adam Gilchrist in a Test at Brisbane when the two disagree over the etiquette of walking. Gilchrist, a self-proclaimed walker, gives McMillan a spray because he does not walk after Steve Bucknor turns down an appeal for caught behind.June 2006 – Loses his national contract after a poor run of ODI form. Considers taking up a career as a salesman to help pay the bills.December 2006 – Is recalled for the home one-day series against Sri Lanka. Has little impact but keeps his spot for the CB Series in Australia.February 2007 – Caps off his comeback with the fastest century in an ODI by a New Zealand player. Blasts 117 from 96 balls – the century comes from 67 deliveries – as he overshadows Matthew Hayden’s 181 and steers New Zealand towards a successful chase of 347 at Hamilton. In typical McMillan fashion, he brings up his hundred with two successive sixes off Adam Voges.September 2007 – Proves that the frenetic Twenty20 format suits his destructive style as he finishes the World Twenty20 as New Zealand’s leading run-scorer. He makes 163 at 40.75 with an impressive strike-rate of 181.
