Cricket: McMillan strikes tour's first century

JODHPUR - Craig McMillan produced a display of controlled aggression yesterday to become the New Zealand cricket team's first century-maker on their tour of India.

Resuming at 44 not out on the final day of the Black Caps three-day match against the Board President's 11 in Jodhpur, the Canterbury stroke-maker advanced to 112 not out at lunch.

He and wicketkeeper Adam Parore carried New Zealand, who began the day at 248 for five, to 348 without further loss at the break, a lead of 50 over the home team.

Their unbroken sixth-wicket partnership was worth 116, the second century stand of the Black Caps' first innings.

McMillan's hundred took 145 balls and he struck four sixes and 12 fours. It was his third first-class ton on tour with New Zealand this year, the others coming in England.

His second 50 came in just 45 balls, and he was particularly severe on spinners Rahul Sanghvi and Harbhajan Singh. In one Sanghvi over, McMillan hit 14 runs off three balls - two fours and a six lofted back over the bowler.

Singh, who has been included in the 14-strong Indian squad for the first test beginning on Sunday at Mohali, was also struck for two sixes in quick succession.

In keeping with the nature of his innings, McMillan brought up his hundred with a square drive for four off seamer Asish Zaidi after home skipper Hrishkesh Kanitkar opted to take the new ball to try to restrict the scoring.

At the other end, Parore added good support, moving from five not out overnight to 34 not out.

Opener Matthew Horne was happy with his big half-century on the second day, but only to a point. Horne, who batted solidly and without giving a chance to reach 86, was dismissed when he swept a delivery from Harbhajan Singh into the hands of a fieldsman in the deep.

"It was the first time I went outside my game plan," he said. "I wanted to be patient rather than look to hit the spinners out of their length, and I got out with a rush of blood," he said.

"But as a start, I'm pretty happy because there's only so much you can do in the nets."

* Sky Television will screen live coverage of the three tests and five one-day internationals in India. - NZPA