McMillan to play Twenty20s for Canterbury

Craig McMillan, the former New Zealand batsman, has agreed to a one-year contract with Canterbury, to play Twenty20 and work as a batting consultant alongside coach Bob Carter.

McMillan, who had joined the ICL after retiring from international cricket in 2007, obtained a release from the league earlier this year and said he was keen to contribute as a coach in Canterbury.

"I will be working on Twenty20 strategies, game plans and helping to develop young Wizards batters,'' McMillan said. "I'm really looking forward to the challenge, not only of playing but contributing in a coaching role."

McMillan felt he still had a lot to offer to the limited-overs game. "Since the ICL has fallen over I still think I have got something to offer in the shorter form of the game. I have missed playing a little bit,'' he said. "I am only 32 so I think I've still got some cricket life in me. The opportunity came up with Canterbury Cricket and they were keen to get me on board. I thought it was a good opportunity to get involved.''

Lee Germon, the former New Zealand captain and current Canterbury chief executive, welcomed McMillan to the state side, for whom he has only played three Twenty20s so far. "It is a real coup to have someone of his calibre and experience as a part of the team," Germon was quoted as saying to NZPA.