McMillan calls it quits

New Zealand all-rounder Craig McMillan has announced his retirement from international cricket.

The 31-year-old had enjoyed an excellent year and was the Black Caps' leading run-scorer in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy whitewash of Australia and the recent ICC World Twenty20.

But McMillan cited the constant demands of touring and his battle with diabetes as the major reasons behind his decision.

"I've got a young family to consider," he said. "I need to get off the merry-go-round. Seven months a year is too much.

"I have decided that the time is right for me to retire from cricket to spend more time with my family and to look after my health, as I have had ongoing issues related to diabetes.

"I feel that the past season has been one of the best of my cricket career and I am happy to be retiring on a really positive note."

New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan said: “We are disappointed to be losing Craig at this point.

"His performances at the recent Twenty20 tournament were tremendous and it is clear he could have contributed greatly to the Blackcaps in the future. However, I have decided to release Craig from his NZC contract on compassionate grounds.

"I understand his reasons for wishing to retire and wish him all the best for the future."

McMillan ends his career having scored 3,116 runs at an average of 38 in 55 Tests. He also played 197 one-day internationals, scoring 4,707 runs at 28 and taking 49 wickets at 35 apiece.

McMillan admitted he had been approached by the Indian Cricket League but had not yet committed to any deal.

McMillan's announcement was quickly followed by the departure of high performance manager Ric Charlesworth, who is set to be named technical director of India's hockey programme.

"This has been a difficult decision because I have greatly enjoyed living in New Zealand and working with NZC," said former Western Australia batsman Charlesworth.

"I am optimistic that New Zealand Cricket has the people and structure in place in high performance to challenge the world's best during the next decade.

"I will continue to closely watch the fortunes of the game in New Zealand and I hope that the relationships I have developed will endure."