ADELAIDE, Nov 17: New Zealand’s acting captain Craig McMillan scored 49 not out to lift the tourist to 110 for three at the close of play on the second day of their four-day match against South Australia Saturday.

South Australia had resumed their first innings on 281 for eight and declared at 297 for nine before reducing New Zealand to 40 for three at one stage on a rain-shortened second day’s play.

But McMillan hit five fours and one six in his 86-ball innings, sharing an unbeaten fourth-wicket partnership of 70 with Lou Vincent, who unbeaten on 26 at the close.

But things had started very badly for New Zealand, when their opener Matthew Bell was run out for a duck with the score at six.

Then former Australia Test leg-spinner Peter McIntyre (2-42) removed both Mathew Sinclair, caught behind for 10, and opener Mark Richardson, lbw after an 83-ball innings of 16.

The tourists were forced to play defensively as McIntyre and left-arm spinner Brad Young (0-41) bowled to attacking fields.

But McMillan, who is leading the side as Stephen Fleming rests ahead of next week’s second Test against Australia, made it quite clear that he was not going to play off his back foot by hitting both bowlers for lofted boundaries down the ground.

McMillan also hit McIntyre for a straight six, no mean feat at the Adelaide Oval, which is regarded as one of the most intimidating straight-hit boundaries in world cricket.