Cricket: Pollock, McMillan in jostling incident

BY RICHARD BOOCK

BLOEMFONTEIN - New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan had to endure a series of jibes about his lack of scoring shots in the first cricket test in Bloemfontein yesterday, and was involved in a fiery encounter with South African captain Shaun Pollock early in his innings.

In an incident which may yet bring match referee Naushad Ali into the picture, McMillan was involved in some minor jostling with Pollock, who one ball later had more to say to the New Zealand batsman before umpire Arani Jayaprakash stepped in, apparently to ask for more restraint from both players.

In response, Pollock approached McMillan at the non-striker's end and appeared to deliver a mock apology, at the same time rubbing the batsman's shoulder and then patting him on the helmet in a condescending manner.

Ali said yesterday that there would be no action taken immediately.

But it was understood that he had been later on the telephone to London, seemingly to clarify a couple of code-of-conduct points.

McMillan had to put up with a lot of banter from the South African field, particularly as he took 38 minutes to get off the mark, but he was still there at stumps on 25, following an innings dripping with determination and application.

The 24-year-old right-hander played completely out of character while giving nothing away during the second innings.

He faced 112 balls and struck just two boundaries, and featured in a 72-run partnership with captain Stephen Fleming.

Interestingly, Fleming was at the striker's end when McMillan and Pollock locked horns, but claimed no knowledge of the incident when asked about it at the press conference after the close of play.

"I didn't see it, mate," he claimed. "I was just too focused."

At stumps on the fourth day, New Zealand were 260 for five, a lead of 18 runs.