Craig McMillan to Quit as New Zealand Batting Coach After 2019 World Cup
Feb 11, 2019 at 4:19 PM
Former New Zealand cricketer Craig McMillan will step down as the batting coach for his national team following the culmination of 2019 World Cup which is scheduled in England and Wales. Meanwhile, McMillan has given a thought on Monday (February 11) to quit his five-year-long job.
However, the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) will announce his replacement ahead of Sri Lankan tour scheduled in August, this year.
The quadrennial event will commence from May 30 at Kennington Oval in London. Hosts England will take on Faf du Plessis-led South Africa.
“I spoke to the family because they are the ones that have had to make a lot of sacrifices over the last five years, just with the amount of cricket in this day and age,” McMillan told in a release.
Cramped Int’l schedule — a strong reason for quitting a job?
In 2014, he was introduced in the coaching role by former Kiwis head coach Mike Hesson. However, Hesson stepped down from his coveted post in 2018. Concurrently, Kiwis are playing under the guidance of Gary Stead.
However, the 42-year-old McMillan former Kiwis all-rounder cited the cramped international schedule behind his decision.
“It just gets more and more every year. And I sort of knew within myself that it was time for a change for me.”
Even though New Zealand lost the 2015 World Cup against their Trans-Tasman rivals Australia by seven wickets at the MCG, McMillan’s wealth of experience has paid rich dividends while instilling the confidence among their wards led by Brendon McCullum.
“To be involved in such an incredible World Cup on home soil and see the way the country embraced the team was really special,” McMillan said.
Coaching stint satisfying for McMillan:
McMillan who played a quintessential role for his national team during heydays has lauded the efforts of McCullum, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor. He added the trio had done exceedingly well to take New Zealand to a new high.
The veteran McMillan believes it’s gratifying to see the team has done well under his tutelage as a batting consultant.
“It’s been a privilege to be able to work with the likes of Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor day-in and day-out. Also, to see the records they’ve accomplished has been very satisfying,” McMillan further added.
McMillan represented Kiwis between 1997 and 2007 to feature in 197 One-day Internationals and 55 Tests.
The Canterbury-born McMillan has amassed 4707 runs at an average of 28.18. He recorded 3116 runs in 91 Tests innings at the average of 38.46. Across formats, McMillan smashed nine hundreds and 47 half-centuries for the Black Caps.