CRAIG Douglas McMILLAN (Canterbury). 21 years. Born Christchurch 13 September 1976. Right-hand bat and right-arm medium-pace. First tour of Sri Lanka. No previous Test experience against Sri Lanka. Has played only one one-day international against Sri Lanka at Hyderabad 1997-98 scoring 10 runs and holding 1 catch.
A compact and powerful striker of the ball especially through the off side, made his Test debut on the tour of Australia, 1997-98 becoming the 18th New Zealander to score a fifty (54) in his very first innings in Test cricket. Batting at no. 6, he reached his fifty with a six. Averaged 29 with two fifties in his maiden Test series and followed it up with a maiden Test century in home series against Zimbabwe - 139 at Wellington, to top the batting with 227 runs (avg. 113.50). An attacking batsman who is a product of the New Zealand Cricket Academy he scored 809 runs (avg. 73.54) with 3 centuries at the age of 20 in 1996-97, to pass John Wright's season aggregate for the province. Can also bowl useful medium-pacers. Led New Zealand Youth side to England 1996.
Test Career Record: Debut v Australia (Brisbane) 1997-98 scoring 54. Batting - Tests 5, Innings 8, Not Outs 0, Highest Score 139 v Zimbabwe (Wellington) 1997-98, Runs 401, Average 50.12, Hundred 1, Fifties 3, Bowling - Runs 63, Wicket 1, Average 63.00, Best 1/43 v Australia (Hobart), 1997-98, 5wInns 0, 10wM 0, S/R 132, Fielding - 3 catches.
One-day International Career Record: Debut v Sri Lanka (Hyderabad) 1997-98. Batting - Matches 25, Innings 23, Not Out 1, Highest Score 86 v South Africa (Adelaide) 1997-98, Runs 603, Average 27.40, Hundreds 0, Fifties 4, Bowling - Runs 348, Wickets 15, Average 23.20, Best 2/17 v Zimbabwe (Harare) 1997-98, 5wInns 0, E/R 4.61, Fielding - 7 catches.
First-class Career Record: Debut 1994-95. In 20 matches has scored 1435 runs (avg. 47.83) with 4 hundreds, highest score 159 for Canterbury v Northern Districts (Christchurch) 1996-97 and taken 3 wickets (avg. 79.66), 5 catches.
DION NASH
DION Joseph NASH (Northern Districts). 26 years. Born Auckland 20 November 1971. Right-hand bat and right-arm fast-medium. Second tour of Sri Lanka, first in 1992-93. In 2 Tests against Sri Lanka has scored 4 runs including a 'pair' (Napier) 1994-95 and taken 4 wickets (avg. 44.25) with 2/28 (Napier) 1994-95 as best, 2 catches. In 5 one-day internationals against Sri Lanka has scored 59 runs (avg. 19.66) with a highest score of 40 (n.o.) off 46 balls (1 four, 2 sixes) (Sara Stadium) 1992-93 and taken 5 wickets (avg. 33.00) with 3/43 (Sharjah) 1993-94 as best, E/R 5.00, 2 catches.
Recalled to the national team after a 21-month absence for the second part of the World Series Cup in Australia 1997-98, shared a New Zealand record eighth wicket partnership of 69 with Adam Parore v South Africa (Brisbane) to bring his country within 3 runs of pulling off a thrilling victory. Chasing a target of 301, New Zealand collapsed to 124 for 6, before the partnership revived the innings and nearly brought them a sensational win. Had his scooped hit to fine leg been signalled a six instead of a four (the ball hit the boundary rope), New Zealand would have needed to score only one run off the last ball of the match to win. He was eventually caught in the deep for 38 to give South Africa a win by two runs. Retained his place for the 2-all series draw against Australia and the 4-1 series win over Zimbabwe at home and, the recently concluded Coca Cola Cup tournament in Sharjah, where he recorded his best one-day figures of 4/38 against India. His finest moment was in 1994 against England when he became the first player to take ten wickets (11/169) and score a fifty (56) in a Test at Lord's. Played on seeason (1995) of English county cricket with Middlesex winning county cap by scoring 433 runs (avg. 20.61) and taking 52 wickets (avg. 29.07).
Test Careeer Record: Debut v Zimbabwe (Harare) 1992-93. Batting Tests 16, Innings 23, Not Outs 6, Highest Score 56 v England (Lord's) 1994, Runs 278, Average 16.35, Hundreds 0, Fifty 1, Bowling - Runs 1383, Wickets 51, Average 27.11, Best 6/76 v England (Lord's) 1994, 5wInns 2, 10wM 1, S/R 60, Fielding - 7 catches.
One-day International Career Record: Debut v Zimbabwe (Bulawayo) 1992-93. Batting - Matches 43, Innings 28, Not Outs 8, Highest Score 40 (n.o.) v Sri Lanka (Sara Stadium), Runs 319, Average 15.95, Hundreds 0, Fifties 0, Bowling - Runs 1495, Wickets 41, Average 36.46, Best 4/38 v India (Sharjah) 1997-98, 5wInns 0, E/R 4.67, Fielding - 15 catches.
First-class Career Record: Debut 1990-91. In 73 matches has scored 1589 runs (avg. 18.91) with a highest score of 76 for Northern Districts v Wellington (Hamilton) 1996-97 and taken 169 wickets (avg. 28.91) with 6/30 for New Zealand Academy XI v Northern Districts (Rotorua) 1993-94 as best, 5wInns 7, 10wM 1, 35 catches.
SHAYNE O'CONNOR
SHAYNE Barry O'CONNOR (Otago). 24 years. Born Hastings 15 November 1973. Left-hand bat and left-arm fast-medium. First tour of Sri Lanka. No previous Test experience against Sri Lanka. In his solitary one-day international appearance against Sri Lanka at Hyderabad 1997-98 (which was also his one-day debut) took 3/44 and was out for a 'duck'.
Has impressed coach Steve Rixon with his attitude and willingness to learn. The lanky paceman has the ability to move the ball at a good pace. He is the kind of bowler who always looks for wickets even if he concedes runs in the process. Legendary Australian left-arm pace bowler Alan Davidson believes he is a genuine prospect with his ability to swerve the ball back into the right-hander. Exploited a lively Wellington pitch to take his first five-wicket (5/39) haul in one-day internationals against Zimbabwe, 1997-98.
Test Career Record: Debut v Zimbabwe (Harare) 1997-98. Batting - Tests 5, Innings 8, Not Outs 4, Highest Score 7 v Australia (Perth) 1997-98, Runs 26, Average 6.50, Hundreds 0, Fifties 0, Bowling - Runs 625, Wickets 18, Average 34.72, Best 4/52 v Zimbabwe (Wellington) 1997-98, 5wInns 0, 10wM 0, S/R 64, Fielding - 3 catches.
One-day International Career Record: Debut v Sri Lanka (Hyderabad) 1997-98. Batting - Matches 22, Innings 7, Not Outs 3, Highest Score 8 v Australia (Melbourne) 1997-98, Runs 15, Average 3.75, Hundreds 0, Fifties 0, Bowling - Runs 773, Wickets 28, Average 27.60, Best 5/39 v Zimbabwe (Wellington) 1997-98, 5wInns 0, E/R 5.28, Fielding - 7 catches.
First-class Career Record: Debut 1994-95. In 14 matches has scored 285 runs (avg. 20.35) with a highest score of 47 for Otago v Auckland (Dunedin) 1996-97 and taken 48 wickets (avg. 27.95) with 6/55 (match bag 10/137) for Otago v Auckland (Dunedin) 1996-97 as best, 5wInns 2, 10wM 1, 6 catches.
ADAM PARORE
ADAM Craig PARORE (Northern Districts). 27 years. Born Auckland 23 January 1971. Right-hand bat and wicket-keeper. Second tour of Sri Lanka, first in 1992-93. In 6 Tests against Sri Lanka has scored 157 runs (avg. 17.44) with one fifty, highest score 60 (SSC) 1992-93 - his maiden Test half-century, and effected 20 dismissals (19ct 1st). In 14 one-day internationals against Sri Lanka has scored 363 runs (avg. 30.25) with 2 fifties, highest score 67 (East London) 1994-95 and affected 8 dismissals (7ct 1st). Also scored an unbeaten 61 off 45 balls (2 sixes, 4 fours) reaching fifty off 37 balls (Hamilton) 1994-95.
The first Maori to score a Test century, his 'bad boy' image saw a promising career as wicket-keeper/batsman cut short at a time when the Kiwis required stability. His undefeated century against the West Indies highlighted his promise as a batsman, so much so that when Lee Germon succeeded Ken Rutherford as captain, he was played as a specialist batsman after 20 Tests as a wicket-keeper. Was uncomfortable in the solo role and the move was only moderately successful. It wasn't until Germon was sacked and Parore reinstated as a 'keeper and late middle-order batsman that he began to fulfil his abundant promise. Became New Zealand's youngest wicket-keeper when he made his Test debut against England in 1990 at the age of 19 years, 163 days.
Test Career Record: Debut v England (Birmingham) 1990. Batting - Tests 41, Innings 71, Not Outs 8, Highest Score 100 (n.o.) v West Indies (Christchurch) 1995-96, Runs 1752, Average 27.80, Hundred 1, Fifties 10, No bowling, Fielding - 88 dismissals (85 ct, 3 st).
One-day International Career Record: Debut v Zimbabwe (Bulawayo) 1992-93, Batting - Matches 96, Innings 91, Not Outs 14, Highest Score 108 off 95 balls (3 sixes, 8 fours) v South Africa (Centurion Park), 1994-95, Runs 2315, Average 30.06, Hundred 1, Fifties 11, No bowling, Fielding - 66 dismissals (53 ct, 13 st).
First-class Career Record: Debut 1988-89. In 95 matches has scored 4092 runs (avag. 32.47) with 6 hundreds, highest score 155 (n.o.) for Auckland v Otago (Dunedin) 1991-92, No wicket for 55 runs, 198 dismissals (185 ct, 13 st).
MARK PRIEST
MARK Wellings PRIEST (Canterbury). 36 years. Born 12 August 1961. Left-hand bat and left-arm leg-breaks. First tour of Sri Lanka. No previous Tests against Sri Lanka. Has played 2 one-day internationals against Sri Lanka returning figures of none for 79, E/R 4.93, no batting.
Made a comeback to international cricket after a gap of seven years and eight months (missing 58 Tests for New Zealand) when he was picked for the second Test v Zimbabwe (Auckland) in March this year. Scored 16 runs, but failed to take a wicket bowling 15 overs. His only previous appearance for New Zealand was on his Test debut v England (Nottingham) 1990. Has been a consistent performer for his province in domestic cricket. Was critical of the New Zealand selectors when they failed to recognise his performances during the 1996-97 season when he scored 357 runs (avg. 44.62) and took 41 wickets (avg. 24.95).
Test Career Record: Debut v England (Nottingham) 1990. Batting - Tests 2, Innings 2, Not Outs 0, Highest Score 26 v England (Nottingham) 1990, Runs 42, Average 21.00, Hundred 0, Fifty 0, Bowling - Runs 81, Wicket 1, Average 81.00, Best 1/26 v England (Nottingham) 1990, 5wInns 0, 10wM 0, S/R 162, Fielding - no catches.
One-day International Career Record: Debut v Australia (Sharjah) 1989-90. Batting - Matches 17, Innings 13, Not Outs 3, Highest Score 24 v England (Oval) 1990, Runs 99, Average 9.90, Hundreds 0, Fifties 0, Bowling - Runs 590, Wickets 8, Average 73.75, Best 2/27 v Pakistan (East London) 1994-95, 5wInns 0, E/R 4.70, Fielding - 2 catches.
First-Class Career Record: Debut 1984-85. In 90 matches has scored 3465 runs (avg. 32.38) with 4 hundreds, highest score 119 for Canterbury v Otago (Christchurch) 1990-91 and taken 275 wickets (avg. 32.29) with 9/95 (match bag 12/162) for Canterbury v Otago (Dunedin) 1989-90 as best, 5wInns 11, 10wM 3, 57 catches.
Note: All first-class career records are upto end of 1996-97 New Zealand season.