ST GEORGE’S, April 15: Craig McMillan, reduced to looking for alternative employment after he was dropped by New Zealand at the end of 2005, played a key part in his country's march to the World Cup semi-finals on Saturday.

Man-of-the-Match McMillan picked up his first World Cup wicket in three tournaments when he bowled South Africa's top scorer Herschelle Gibbs for 60. He followed up with two more cheap victims, including the dangerous Mark Boucher, to finish with three for 23 in the Super Eights fixture.

After captain Stephen Fleming had departed for 50, McMillan accelerated the New Zealand scoring rate to finish with an unbeaten 38 off 55 balls including a massive six into the stands to take his team to a five-wicket victory and the semi-finals.

McMillan, who bowled five overs, said Fleming usually called on him to break a partnership.

“So it's usually for maybe two or three overs, max, to try and get a wicket and then he goes back to the main bowlers,” he said. “They were my first wickets at a World Cup so it's been a long time coming.

“From a personal point of view batting is my main art, bowling is a real bonus. It's good to show Flem that I can take a wicket here and there. I love bowling but it's something that I'm doing less and less.”

Recalled to the one-day side in 2006, McMillan gave some typically robust performances with the bat in the tri-series against Australia this year.

The fastest one-day century by a New Zealander in the ensuing 3-0 series whitewash over Australia followed, ensuring a place in the World Cup squad.

But it was as a medium-pace change bowler that McMillan made his mark in Saturday's match.

Captain Stephen Fleming had turned to the 30-year-old because one of his usual medium-pace options, Scott Styris, was jaded after scoring a century and a half-century in the space of three days.—Reuters