26 November 2007

New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Mills has been named as this week's Cricket World® Player Of The Week after two fine performances on his comeback from injury, despite both coming in losing performances.

In his first game back, he smashed 33 unbeaten runs to help New Zealand post 129 for seven in the Twenty20 International against South Africa in Johannesburg. Coming in late in the order, his innings gave his side a much-needed boost, and without his contribution, South Africa would have won far more comfortably than they eventually did.

He took one for 34 before very nearly bowling his side to victory in the first one-day international between the two sides in Durban. New Zealand scored 248 thanks to Jamie How scoring 90 before Mills reduced South Africa to nine for two.

He then returned at the death to pick up three wickets, finishing with excellent figures of five for 25. South Africa inched over the line to win by two wickets, but Mills performance had helped run them very close.

There were a number of other contenders for this week's award, many also in losing causes, such as Kumar Sangakkara against Australia and Shoaib Akhtar against India, as well as AB De Villiers for his batting in the same two matches but Mills' performances, which so nearly gave New Zealand their first victory over South Africa on the tour, won the vote.

The Cricket World ® Player Of The Week is judged by the www.cricketworld.com Editorial Team, which takes into consideration matches played in the preceding week with the final decision made on Monday morning.

Users are welcome to discuss the award and put forward contenders for each week's award on our forum, to do so, click here.

© Cricket World 2007

Cricket World.com – For all the latest international cricket news, reports, live international and county cricket scores; broadband radio and TV; free audio commentary; exclusive interviews, women’s cricket, club cricket, youth cricket and disabled cricket news.