Top 3 batting performances of Craig McMillan in ODIs

New Zealand’s Craig McMillan has played in all the formats of the game and was an outstanding batter of his time. He was an all-rounder who also played English county cricket for Hampshire and Gloucestershire County Cricket Clubs. He has done multiple things since retiring from cricket, starting with commentary. Later, he became the batting coach for New Zealand.

He made his Test debut in November 1997 and played his last Test match in March 2005. In ODIs, he made his debut in May 1997 and played his last game in April 2007. He made his T20 debut quite late in 2005 and played for two years before retiring in 2007. He played his last game against Pakistan in the T20Is. He left a legacy in the team, which the players have taken forward.
Let’s discuss the top three batting performances of Craig McMillan

1. 117 runs vs Australia, 2007

In 2007, Craig McMillan scored his highest runs in ODI cricket against Australia. He scored 117 runs off 96 balls including 13 boundaries and five sixes. It was a beautiful knock as New Zealand chased down a mammoth total of 347 runs with just one wicket to spare. In this match, Matthew Hayden was awarded the Player of the Match for his 181 runs off 166 balls, even though his team lost the game. Mitchell Johnson’s fierce bowling couldn’t stop the hosts from gaining victory but the bowler claimed three wickets in the process.

2. 105 runs vs Pakistan, 2002

McMillan scored 105 runs off 116 balls against Pakistan in Pakistan. His knock included eight boundaries and one six but it went in vain as Pakistan won the game by three wickets. Moreover, opener Matt Horne also scored 62 runs off 92 balls, which was a great inning. However, Pakistan were chasing a score of 278 runs and won it with 17 balls to spare. It was a complete team effort from the hosts but Younis Khan and Abdul Razzaq were the standout performers of the match, scoring 70 and 86 runs, respectively. Andre Adams and Scott Styris took two wickets for New Zealand but couldn’t help their team win the match.

3. 104 runs vs Pakistan, 2001

A year earlier in 2001, McMillan scored an unbeaten century against Pakistan in Christchurch helping the hosts win the game. He scored 104 runs off 75 balls, hitting six boundaries and five sixes. The innings will be etched in the memories of the New Zealand fans as they won the game by 138 runs. Also, Nathan Astle scored 71 runs off 88 balls, including six boundaries and one six. Moreover, Pakistan were chasing a score of 285 runs but were all out for 146 runs. Daryl Tuffey and Nathan Astle cleaned the batting order of the visitors, securing a win for the team. The then-skipper of Pakistan, Moin Khan, tried his best to seal the match but could only score a half-century while all the other batters kept throwing their wickets from the other end.