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James McMillan has long operated in the cricketing shadow of his cousin Craig, the punishing former New Zealand batsman. James left Canterbury several summers ago seeking regular playing opportunities, not on offer there due to a surfeit of talent.
The fast-medium seam bowler had his reward yesterday when a career-best seven for 105 gave Otago first innings points in the State Championship match against Canterbury in Christchurch before the game was abandoned at tea on the fourth afternoon. The match was drawn with Canterbury on 213 for two in their second innings.
McMillan's haul included the wicket of his cousin yesterday for 101, one of two centurions in Canterbury's first innings of 367 along with Chris Harris, who made 122.
Otago coach Mike Hesson, who guided Otago to third place in the championship last summer, was happy with his team's performance in their opening match. "It's pleasing to come away with first innings points against what is a very good Canterbury team," said Hesson, delighted with McMillan's effort on a track renowned for favouring batsmen.
"James bowled exceptionally well; he's done it in the past for us and it is very good for him to start the season so well."
Otago's imposing first innings of 601 for nine declared left Canterbury pursuing nothing more than a draw, which they managed after resuming this morning on 330 for seven. Once captain Harris, on 103 overnight, departed for 122, Canterbury's response quickly ended at 367, 84 runs shy of the follow-on mark.
McMillan's figures came from 27 overs of toil and perseverance and his batteries were understandably on the low side when Canterbury batted a second time. Otago were always going to struggle to dismiss the home side a second time, and so it proved.
Spinners Nathan McCullum and Aaron Redmond were quickly called on as Canterbury made a solid start - an opening stand of 111 between Todd Astle and Brendon McCullum.
It was McCullum's second half-century of the game in the opening role, a position New Zealand coach John Bracewell has said he might find himself in for the one-day series against Sri Lanka.
That left the stage to Peter Fulton and Craig McMillan, who shared an unbroken stand of 63 before the game was called off, with Fulton on 60 and McMillan 20.
- NZPA
