Craig McMillan: It’s always been a strength of New Zealand sides, men’s or women’s — everyone chips in Premium

Craig McMillan had faith in New Zealand's Women's T20 World Cup win, highlighting the team's hard work and star players.

Not many had given New Zealand a chance of winning the Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE last month. Craig McMillan wasn’t one of them.

As the team’s assistant coach, the former New Zealand batter, who broke some records with his aggressive batting in his time, had faith in the White Ferns.

“It was a tough period for the White Ferns leading into the World Cup, but I always felt that we were a dark horse and we were going to surprise people,” says McMillan during an exclusive interview with The Hindu, at Ahmedabad, where New Zealand played India in a three-match ODI series, right after the World Cup triumph. 

“We have worked hard over a period of time, and we know the improvements they’ve made over the last 12 months. Sometimes the stars align, but you still have to be good to make the most of those stars aligning.”

Amelia Kerr was the biggest star for New Zealand at the World Cup. The leg-spinning all-rounder, who is the youngest cricketer — male or female — to score a double hundred in ODIs, was the player of the final and the tournament. 

She was the competition’s leading wicket-taker. “She bowled beautifully,” says McMillan, who played for New Zealand in 260 internationals across formats. “In the final, she stepped up when we needed her.”

Kerr was the top-scorer in the final, with a 38-ball 43. She then took three for 24 to lead New Zealand to a 32-run win over the team that seems destined to suffer heartbreak in every major match, for women or men — South Africa.