Cricket: McMillan says he was definitely not out

BULAWAYO - New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan believes he was robbed of a chance for a century and to push his team up towards a total of 300 in the third one-day international against Zimbabwe yesterday.

McMillan topscored with 78 off 79 balls in New Zealand's innings of 264 for eight but Zimbabwe overhauled the total with 13 balls to spare to clinch the one-day series 2-1.

He was given out leg before wicket by local umpire Ian Robinson in the 47th over when he shuffled right across the crease and was struck outside the line of off stump.

"You can say whatever you want but it wasn't out, it wasn't close to being out," McMillan said.

"It's probably the difference between 280-285 and 265 because I was in, I'd batted for 30 overs, I was seeing the ball well and I'm sure I would have been able to get a few more at the end."

New Zealand, and McMillan in particular, were on the receiving end of several dubious decisions from local umpires Robinson and Russell Tiffin throughout the series.

It called into question the International Cricket Council's policy of having just one neutral umpire for tests and none for one-day internationals.

"We've had a few of those decisions this tour and it's been frustrating because it has held us back at different stages.

"But you've got to wear it on the chin," McMillan said.

"They say it goes in roundabouts, so I'm hoping by the time we hit South Africa it would have turned my way."

- NZPA