By RICHARD BOOCK
SOWETO - Craig McMillan hopes a technical adjustment and some sound advice will help him make a long-overdue splash at the cup.
McMillan, one of the more senior players in New Zealand's squad, is almost certain to bat at No 3 in Monday's game against Sri Lanka, and wants to use the extra overs at his disposal to post some genuinely big scores.
The 26-year-old right-hander has played in both New Zealand's warm-up matches this week, a strong sign that he is likely to fill the troublesome No 3 position ahead of rival Mathew Sinclair.
McMillan, who has gone through something of a slump this summer, showed a little more progress against a Provincial XI at Soweto yesterday as New Zealand romped to a convincing 116-run win.
As a gauge for the upcoming tournament it was a difficult performance to assess because the composite side were of variable quality and at no stage were New Zealand put under any pressure or made to work especially hard.
For all that, there was plenty to be happy about, not least in the batting, where New Zealand piled on 306 in the morning, courtesy of a century from Stephen Fleming, 70 from Chris Cairns and 38 from McMillan.
In reply, the provincial side were 190 for eight when the overs ran out, the entire New Zealand bowling attack sharing the spoils.
McMillan said batting at No 3 next week would allow him to develop his game and play what is looming as a crucial role at the tournament.
His optimism follows a few encouraging efforts in the warm-up games and a technical adjustment in his stance, which he said gave him a better chance of sighting the ball and playing as late as possible.
"I had a pre-movement which was pushing my body back and across, and as a result I've been getting out leg-before, bowled and caught behind.
"It just seemed that I wasn't in the right position when the ball arrived so I made a couple of changes. Now I'm trying to stay as still as possible, and I'm also working harder on some really basic stuff, like watching the ball."
Fleming smashed 122 off 128 balls yesterday to make sure New Zealand would post a defendable total, his century arriving off 120 balls and including eight fours and two sixes.
Cairns was back to his most belligerent, hitting three trademark sixes and a handful of fours.
The hosts never seriously threatened the target, the best effort coming from No 5 Warren Dugmore, who made 33 off 45 balls.
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