Craig McMillan retained for two years as New Zealand's batting coach

Former New Zealand Test cricketer Craig McMillan has gained a two-year appointment to hold onto his position as the batting coach of the national team.

The hard-hitting former middle order batsman filled the role on an interim basis for the recent tour of the West Indies, where the side won a rare away test series and that flowed into a job on New Zealand A's just-completed tour of Britain where plenty of runs were scored.

McMillan has done enough to impress his bosses with his technical advice and rapport with players to secure a fulltime job, Stuff.co.nz reported.

New Zealand Cricket head of cricket Lindsay Crocker said that the West Indies and NZA tours were McMillan's first as a coach at that level, and they are very happy with his development.

Crocker said that McMillan has been awarded his two-year contract on that basis, and added that he is confident the former player will continue to form an excellent coaching trio with head coach Mike Hesson and bowling Coach Shane Bond.

McMillan's appointment comes on top of Hesson having his contract extended through the same period, the report added.