Date-stamped : 25 Jun97 - 06:18 27 May 1997 NZ Honours At A Cost Playing for New Zealand at the Independence Cup in India cost Canterbury cricketer Craig McMillan his job playing at league level in England. McMillan, 20, was refused permission by the Bolton league officials to play as professional for the Greenmont club after he notified the club he would be away for several weeks with New Zealand commitments. Ironically team-mates Nathan Astle and Chris Harris are available, playing in the Lancashire league which has a different regulation regarding the absence of overseas players. "It was pretty disappointing after getting it all jacked up to go," McMillan said, having just returned home from India. McMillan understood the rule was invoked in the Bolton league after several Pakistani players departed in mid-season and did not return. However, McMillan said his priority was playing for New Zealand and establishing himself in the side. In hindsight he feels that career cloud may have the proverbial silver lining. Although not in the New Zealand Academy intake this year he will be considered for that group's tour to South Africa in August along with other first year inductees as the strongest possible side is sought. McMillan is also hopeful of retaining his place in the New Zealand senior side for its tour of Zimbabwe during September and early October before a full visit of Australia. "There could be plenty of cricket ahead so a bit of a break might not be a bad thing." McMillan is already heading back to India soon with many member of the national side to play for an unofficial New Zealand XI, organised by Dipak Patel, against teams from India and Pakistan in a limited-over event at Hyderabad. That was the venue where McMillan made his New Zealand debut in the team's loss to Sri Lanka which eliminated it from the Independence Cup contest. The punishing top order batsman said he noticed a marked increase in the level of intensity of the matches compared to his experiences in New Zealand. "I sub fielded for the last 10 overs or so against India when Tendulkar was batting and it was a bit mind-boggling." Against Sri Lanka, McMillan arrived with New Zealand 103 for four and seeking to rebuild its innings after losing Matt Horne and Stephen Fleming, who had started a promising partnership. McMillan said he had slow bowlers Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya bowling to him on a slow wicket with six-three offside fields and bowling outside of stump. "It was difficult to score and I've got to work at keeping things going in such situations. I tried to get after Aravinda and was stumped down the leg side." McMillan said the sauna-like heat of Hyderabad where temperatures soared above 40deg was a telling factor prompting games to be played in the evening. McMillan had nothing but admiration for Pakistan opening bat Saeed Anwar, who established a world record score of 194 against India made in the stifling heat of Madras. He predicted Sri Lanka 1-0 up in the best-of-three final series against Pakistan, would carry on to win the tournament. Source :: The Christchurch Press (http://www.press.co.nz) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com).