da betcris: New Zealand ended the third day of their tour match at Grace Road in the driving seat, but an injury to Craig McMillan, which left him doubtful for Thursday’s second Test, overshadowed their on-field success

Wisden Cricinfo staff30-May-2004
ScorecardNew Zealand ended the third day of their tour match at Grace Road in the driving seat, but an injury to Craig McMillan, which left him doubtful for Thursday’s second Test, overshadowed their on-field success.McMillan was taken to hospital after being struck on his already-damaged left hand by Darren Maddy. Lindsay Crocker, the New Zealand manager, said that an X-ray had shown a fracture, but it was unclear if it was just the old injury or whether the blow had compounded the existing damage.”We won’t know that until tomorrow when the two X-rays have been compared,” he admitted. “If it’s just a bruise then he should be reasonably okay for the Test. But if it’s a new fracture or re-fractured then we are back to square one again.”McMillan had made an effortless 43 when he had to retire, and the other New Zealand batsmen were equally untroubled by a below-par Leicestershire attack. Stephen Fleming fell five short of his century, bowled by Maddy via an inside edge, Chris Cairns kept the sparse crowd entertained with as 53-ball 62, and Daniel Vettori smacked 77 as Leicestershire brought on their part-time bowlers.Set an almost impossible 553 to win, Leicestershire reached 68 for 2 by the close.