McMillan recalled into squad for second ODI

Craig McMillan, the New Zealand middle-order batsman, has been recalled to the squad for the second one-dayer, as reported by AFP, against Sri Lanka at Queenstown on December 31 as it is doubtful that opener Nathan Astle will be fit to play. Astle bruised his thigh after being hit at the same place thrice by Chaminda Vaas, the Sri Lanka left-arm fast-medium bowler,in the first one-dayer at Napier.

McMillan was dropped from the one-day squad around the same time last year for the four home ODIs against Sri Lanka after a poor performance in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy against Australia. In June 2006 McMillan lost out on the central contract when it came up for renewal. He was then excluded from the 30-man Champions Trophy squad because of fitness concerns. In the 10 State Shield games, New Zealand's domestic one-day competition, McMillan played in 2005-06 he made 231 runs at 28.87. In the two he has played in 2006-07 he has scored 85 at 42.50.

Ross Taylor, whose unbeaten century in the first one-dayer failed to win New Zealand the match, is expected to play at Queenstown though he suffered dehydration during the Napier game. Taylor battled cramps through the second half of his innings and had to be taken to hospital and given a drip before returning.

Sri Lanka lead the five-match series 1-0. The Test series was tied 1-1 as were the Twenty20 games.