…as their professional for the 2010 season certainly lifted NCU and Irish cricket from its winter slumber. The appointment brought out all the old sores of overseas professionals playing in local cricket, but when the dust settled, hats off to the CI club for their enterprise and to the talented Kiwi for selecting Northern Ireland as his home this summer, when other opportunities were on the table. It is the most exciting appointment in NCU history, and Craig’s presence alone will not only increase the numbers at all CI games, but it will immediately put the club into a challenging position for honours.
But what does the former New Zealand star feel about the appointment?
Ulster Cricketer editor Clarence Hiles got the answers in some probing questions…
1 THE NEWS OF YOUR APPOINTMENT AT CI HAS CREATED A GREAT BUZZ OF EXCITEMENT IN ULSTER CRICKET. WHAT ARE YOUR INITIAL FEELINGS COMING TO THIS PART OF THE WORLD?
I am very excited about the opportunity about playing in a country I've heard a lot about, but throughout my career haven't managed to travel to or played in yet.
2 HAVE YOU HAD ANY CONNECTIONS WITH IRISH CRICKET IN THE PAST?
Not very many really, apart from playing against the Irish national side a couple of times at recent World Cups. And of course Boyd Rankin was a teammate of mine in the Indian Cricket league.
3 TELL US A BIT ABOUT CRAIG McMILLAN OUTSIDE CRICKET?
I have a young family, who are very excited about coming toNorthern Ireland; also I am a golf nut, so my clubs go wherever I go! We have some beautiful courses in New Zealand, but I hear the links courses are something to see in Northern andSouthern Ireland, so I can't wait to experience playing on some of them.
4 WILL YOU SET PERSONAL TARGETS FOR THE 2010 SEASON?
Yes, I will have some personal goals that I will want to achieve from the upcoming season playing for CI. I feel it is always good to have a goal to strive for.
5 CI HAS YET TO WIN A MAJOR TROPHY IN LOCAL CRICKET. IS THERE ANY FEELING OF PERSONAL PRESSURE TO DELIVER A TROPHY?
Any competition you are participating in, the goal is to win it, whether you are the best or worst team taking part. Trophies aren't won by individuals, but by teams, and there seems to be a great club spirit at CI from all the correspondence I have had from the lads so far, so let’s see what happens.
6 YOU MUST HAVE RECEIVED OFFERS FROM ELSEWHERE. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THIS POSITION?
I have played a few years in England, and I had an offer from Scotland this season, but because of its uniqueness and the word of others in New Zealand, Northern Ireland seemed the best place to go for a cricketing and family experience.
7 WILL YOUR JOB INVOLVE COACHING YOUNGER PLAYERS?
Of course! I am looking forward to working with CI's existing coaches, and I will help out wherever I can. I know that coaching the juniors will be the primary focus of this coaching, whether that is working with a certain team, or more likely with certain individuals.
8 IS THIS A ONE-OFF YEAR IN IRELAND OR COULD IT BE EXTENDED?
It could be anything, let’s see how the season goes first and what happens. I don't like looking too far ahead, but right now I can't wait to experience the Irish hospitality!
EDITOR’S FOOTNOTE:
Craig McMillan is 32 years old and one of the best ODI players to come from New Zealand. He retired from international cricket after playing in the Caribbeanat Cricket World Cup 2007. He won 55 test caps and played in 197 ODIs for the Black Caps. Although a useful medium pace bowler, his reputation for explosive batting has been his hallmark, and amongst his many prodigious batting feats, he has scored a 21-ball half-century and a 67-ball century forNew Zealand. His 3000 plus test runs include six centuries and nineteen half centuries.
His talents are ideally suited to NCU club cricket and his wicket will surely be the biggest prize during the 2010 season. He is the highest profile test cricketer to play for an NCU club and his presence alone has given the new season a huge boost three months before a ball has been bowled.
Clarence Hiles
29 Jan 2010
