McMillan backs Bracewell to stay on

Under-fire New Zealand coach John Bracewell has received the strong backing of his players, most notably Craig McMillan, to continue as coach despite New Zealand's disappointing exit in the World Cup semi-finals against Sri Lanka. Bracewell's contract is up for renewal when New Zealand Cricket (NZC) sit down to review the performance of the side later this month.

It was a change of heart from McMillan, whose relationship with Bracewell had turned sour a year ago, after McMillan was omitted from the list of contracted players for last season. Bracewell questioned McMillan's fitness and dropped him from the provisional squad for the Champions Trophy last year, after which McMillan contemplated quitting the game. He was recalled for the CB Series in Australia after a good domestic season.

"We have had our differences of opinion but I have to say the last six months have been one of my more enjoyable times in the side in terms of playing cricket, in terms of the relaxed nature of the camp and in terms of trying to get better and move forward," McMillan told NZPA. "I'd really like to see that continue, as most of the guys would, but we have to leave that to the powers that be.

"Some of processes that have been put into place with the team set-up over the last two years, we are just beginning to see the benefits of."

Stephen Fleming, who quit the one-day captaincy, had earlier backed Bracewell to stay on, reacting to Martin Crowe's recent comments that New Zealand required a new coach. Bracewell himself said he had no intentions of giving up the post, instead leaving the decision to the board to decide on his contract.

Meanwhile, McMillan revealed that he's picked up a hip injury in the semi-finals that could take between a month and six weeks to heal. New Zealand do not have any international commitments till the Twenty20 World Championship in September.

"It's the pelvic bone at the top of my left leg," he said. "I dived in the field and felt a bit sore and aggravated it by running around and it got worse and worse. It was far from ideal batting when we were chasing a big score."