McMillan sets world Test record

Geoff Young

New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan set a world Test record for most runs in a six-ball over as his side romped to a series-levelling win against Pakistan on Friday.

McMillan smashed 26 off leg-spinner Younis Khan's only over in the third and final Test, beating the previous record of 24 held jointly by five other players.

After McMillan stole the individual spotlight early on the fourth day, New Zealand swept to victory by an innings and 185 runs to square the rubber 1-1.

Having declared in the morning session at 407 for four with a first innings lead of 303, New Zealand bowled out Pakistan for 118 to secure their biggest Test-winning margin.

They beat the victory by an innings and 132 runs against England at Christchurch in the 1983-84 series.

McMillan set his record on the way to making 98 by hitting five fours and a six from six balls, three of his fours coming from reverse sweeps.

He beat the mark of 24 set by Andy Roberts off Ian Botham, West Indies v England at Port of Spain in 1980-81; Sandeep Patil off Bob Willis, India v England at Manchester in 1982; Botham against Derek Stirling, England v New Zealand at The Oval in 1986; Ian Smith off Atul Wassam, New Zealand v India in Auckland in 1989-90 and Kapil Dev off Eddie Hemmings, India v England at Lord's in 1990.

McMillan shared a fourth wicket stand of 147 with captain Stephen Fleming, who stroked an unbeaten 51, after New Zealand resumed at the overnight 260 for three.

Pakistan, having been skittled for 104 in the first innings, then succumbed to James Franklin (4-26), Daryl Tuffey (3-38) and Chris Martin (2-48).

Tuffey, who also held a glorious catch in the deep to dismiss Inzamam-ul-Haq for 20 in Pakistan's second innings, was named man-of-the-match for his haul of seven for 77.

"That was the most perfect Test you could play," Fleming said. "I'm delighted to win a test this way. It was the most complete performance in my time as captain (since 1997)."

New Zealand came back from 1-0 down to draw the series even though injuries to Chris Cairns, Dion Nash, Daniel Vettori and Shayne O'Connor weakened their attack.

But Fleming said: "If players are unavailable you make do with what you've got. To that end the response from our bowlers has been superb because they know they've been second, sometimes third choices.

"Daryl Tuffey and Chris Martin have developed into front-line new-ball bowlers and James Franklin is a youngster come from nowhere who's done extremely well."

Pakistan's injury problems ruled out captain and wicketkeeper Moin Khan and fast bowler Mohammad Sami, who played a major role in their win in the first Test.

Acting skipper Inzamam said New Zealand outplayed them in all areas, but regretted Sami's absence.

"He would have been a big difference," Inzamam said. "He played so well in Auckland on his debut and bowled well in Christchurch with no luck. Psychologically he would have been up on the New Zealanders and we missed him."

Mail Cricket Editor