Cricket: McMillan seems set for a call in from the cold

By RICHARD BOOCK


Don't be surprised if Craig McMillan wins a surprise recall at the expense of Hamish Marshall for tomorrow's opening test at the Gabba.

Axed from the touring squad to England this year and later for the series in Bangladesh, McMillan could well force his way back into the team on the basis of his 52-test record, his general toughness, and the fact that he can lend a hand at the bowling crease.

New Zealand coach John Bracewell said yesterday that the experiment with Marshall was not yet complete and that it was difficult to pin-point where exactly he was in terms of his ability in the test arena.

At the same time, he confirmed that McMillan was now part of the general squad and available for selection, rather than just being in Brisbane as cover for the injured Nathan Astle and the ailing Stephen Fleming.

"We may look at playing him [McMillan] because he's tough and he can bowl, which allows us to play a full compliment of batters," Bracewell said after practice.

"It was made pretty clear to him when he missed out that there weren't too many others in the frame and that he would probably have more opportunities."

Bracewell said people were making a lot of noise about how New Zealand were going to take 20 Australian wickets, but he believed the team's initial priority was to bat well and post a score of 500-plus.

That meant he was leaning towards playing six front-line batsmen, and would probably have to make a choice between Marshall and McMillan.

The fact that he had initially picked Marshall for the tour rather than McMillan would not figure in his calculations as he had to remain flexible and open-minded while pondering the best combination.

But he made no bones about the size of the task facing New Zealand's batsmen. "This is not the place to blood an A player on his first trip to Australia and I have no fear of picking whoever I think is likely to do the best job."

Bracewell's comments came as former test captain Kim Hughes almost reluctantly joined the legions of Australians who have given New Zealand no chance in their seventh test outing at the Gabba.

Almost 20 years to the day that he broke down in tears while announcing his resignation, Hughes said yesterday that nothing would please him more than a strong and successful challenge from the New Zealanders at Brisbane.

"But the reality is that without Shane Bond, Daryl Tuffey and Chris Cairns, this side is seriously short of firepower and that's something you really need in Australia."