Cricket: McMillan blow for Kiwis

NEW ZEALAND'S hopes of beating South Africa in the remaining two Tests of their series were dealt a major setback yesterday when their key batsman, Craig McMillan, was ruled out of both matches with a broken left hand.

McMillan was struck by Jacques Kallis in the penultimate over before the first Test ended in a tame draw in Auckland on Wednesday. The hard- hitting right hander, who has a batting average of just below 50 after 11 Tests, did not think the injury was serious until yesterday morning when the pain had not receded.

"He had it X-rayed this morning and a fracture of the head of the fifth metacarpal was revealed. The hand is in plaster and the injury is expected to prevent him from playing for the next three to four weeks," the team physiotherapist, Mark Harrison, said yesterday.

New Zealand might be able to replace McMillan with their captain Stephen Fleming who has not played for a month, but has recovered sufficiently from groin surgery to be provisionally named in the Canterbury side to face Otago in a four-day game starting today.

If Fleming declares himself fit after playing, McMillan's injury might not be crucial. If he does not, the home side's batting will be very thin.

South Africa play a three-day game against a New Zealand A team in Lincoln beginning tomorrow as preparation for the second Test which starts at Lancaster Park next Thursday.

Pat Symcox, the veteran South African off-spinner, yesterday announced his retirement from the international arena, despite being named in his country's provisional 19-strong World Cup squad. Symcox has decided his poor form in the recent one-day series in New Zealand means it is time to withdraw his name before the final 15 are announced.

Symcox will be 39 by the time the tournament takes place and he feels he can no longer compete at the highest level.