New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan is coming off his longest break from top-class cricket since joining the Black Caps six years ago.
McMillan, who opted out of the Champions Trophy tournament in Sri Lanka last month for safety reasons, will make his first appearance of the new season on Saturday forclub side East Christchurch-Shirley, which also includes Nathan Astle.
He is looking forward to several weeks of club cricket before stepping up to first-class and international cricket.
"My last club game was against (former New Zealand medium fast bowler) Chris Martins' St Albans side three years ago and I didn't get many that day," McMillan said.
"But I am especially looking forward to the series against India. There's only one team coming out this summer because of the World Cup and that will be our only chance to make an impression before the Black Caps are named."
New Zealand will play two tests and seven one-dayers against India who have lifted their world rating since coach John Wright took the helm.
New Zealand beat India at Nottingham in 1999 to reach the semifinals of the last World Cup.
McMillan said he was hoping to see the return of a number of key players, including allrounder Chris Cairns, who have been out with injury.
"It will be great to have them back. If we are at full strength day in day out, we'll definitely have a good shake at it (the World Cup)," he said.
The 26-year-old heads into the 2002-03 summer with a test batting average of 41 and a one-day average of just 27.
His one-day game has improved in recent times and he was thrilled to get his second one-day hundred against Pakistan in Pakistan earlier this year.
"My one-day records is not as it should be. My aim this summer is to get it up into the low 30s and go from there," McMillan said.
"It was at a low point of 22 and it has moved up from there."
