As players with proven Test records New Zealand batting twins Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle felt they were entitled to more support from the public and media than recent comments questioning their selections in Test teams.

McMillan was speaking after today's play in the National Bank Test against Zimbabwe in which he equalled his highest Test score of 142 and Astle made the highest of his test centuries with 141.

Astle was not available for the media after the day's play.

Batsmen sometimes struggled for runs, no matter who they were, and with their records the pair felt they were entitled to more consideration, especially from the media.

"Our records deserve respect," McMillan said.

McMillan's average is now 42.62 from his 1833 runs and Astle is 35.97 from 2518 runs.

Coach David Trist and captain Stephen Fleming gave the pair every support before the Test and McMillan said that had been very encouraging.

"Their backing was very important to us," he said.

McMillan said the criticism had been unfair. They were both aggressive, positive players and that was the way they played.

Sometimes that didn't come off.

McMillan was also keen to regain some of the positive aspects of the earlier stages of his career in today's innings.

"I wanted my actions to show I was out there for the battle. It was not the most attractive, but it was effective," he said.

The pace of the pitch had been a little inconsistent and the batsmen had to make their own pace on the ball.

He believed New Zealand had the benefit of the pitch at its best and there were five bowlers in the side, including himself, itching to have a crack at the Zimbabweans.

"We've got to take 20 wickets and we are looking forward to it," he said.

The marks on the pitch from bowlers' follow-throughs would make it hard for the number of left-handers in the Zimbabwe team and with the choice of both an off-spinner and a leg-spinner, New Zealand would be well placed to make the most of the pitch, he said.

© CricInfo