McMillan leads Kiwi fightback

ADELAIDE, NOV. 17. New Zealand's acting captain Craig McMillan scored an unbeaten 49 to lift the tourist to 110 for three at the close of play on the second day of the four-day match against South Australia on Saturday.

South Australia had resumed its first innings on 281 for eight and declared at 297 for nine before reducing New Zealand to 40 for three at one stage on a rain-shortened second day's play. But McMillan hit five fours and one six in his 86- ball innings, sharing an unbeaten fourth-wicket partnership of 70 with Lou Vincent, who remained unbeaten on 26 at close.

Things started very badly for New Zealand, when its opener Matthew Bell was run out for a duck with the score at six. Then former Australia Test leg-spinner Peter McIntre(two for 42) removed both Mathew Sinclair, caught behind for 10, and opener Mark Richardson, lbw after an 83-ball innings of 16. The tourist was forced to play defensively as Peter and left-arm spinner Brad Young bowled to attacking fields.

But McMillan, who is leading the side as Stephen Fleming rests ahead of next week's second Test against Australia, made it quite clear that he was not going to play off his back foot by hitting both bowlers for lofted boundaries down the ground.

McMillan also hit Peter for a straight six, no mean feat at the Adelaide Oval, which is regarded as one of the most intimidating straight-hit boundaries in world cricket. New Zealand's three- match series against the world champions resumes with the second Test starting in Hobart on November 22. The first Test in Brisbane was drawn.

lBrief scores: South Australia - 1st innings 297 for nine decl. (D. Fitzgerald 50, G. Blewett 106, B. Young 37, Tuffey three for 71, Vettori three for 60) v New Zealand - 1st innings 110 for three (C. McMillan batting 49, L. Vincent batting 26).

- Reuters

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Section  : Sport
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