Yes to McMillan for South African game but no to Kenyan match

Craig McMillan has been thrown a lifeline and included in the New Zealand 12 for today's World Cup game against South Africa in what selection chairman Sir Richard Hadlee describes as the biggest selection decision of the year.

McMillan, who was dropped for the match against the West Indies, has been in poor form for most of the summer.

"Craig is acutely aware of the significance of tomorrow's match not only for the team but for his own future," Hadlee said in a thinly-veiled reference as strong as anything made in his tenure as selection chairman.

McMillan will bat down the order in what is another vital game for New Zealand which has reconfirmed its stance on not playing in Kenya.

Coming into the side for the match at Johannesburg's Wanderers' Stadium is pace bowler Kyle Mills, who has kept Daryl Tuffey out of the side while McMillan's selection is at the expense of Chris Harris.

The team is: Stephen Fleming (captain), Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Chris Cairns, Craig McMillan, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent.

Hadlee has likened the importance of the match to a World Cup final.

"If we lose this game, the reality is we're not likely to progress any further in the tournament.

"The destiny of the players' is in their own hands and they know it.

"We need to make history tomorrow by beating South Africa for the first time on their own soil [in a One-Day International] and, at the same time, the team will give themselves a very good chance of progressing to the Super Six stage of the tournament.

"A win for the TelstraClear Black Caps will also put tremendous pressure on South Africa making the Super Six."

Meanwhile, New Zealand have said 'No' to playing in Kenya on Friday and are seeking ways of having the match rescheduled for South Africa.

An important factor in their confirmation of their stance announced before the World Cup started has been the assessment of New Zealand Cricket's security expert Reg Dickason.

Dickason has been in South Africa in recent days during meetings with NZC chief executive Martin Snedden, the South African Police force and members of the Kroll security group.

Snedden has also been in lengthy discussions with International Cricket Council executives and South African and Kenyan cricket representatives.

"Mr Dickason's assessment, having reviewed all the material available, is that the risk to player safety is still too high," Snedden said.

"The New Zealand Cricket Board, in making its decision today, has acted on that advice."

"NZC has not given up hope of the game being rescheduled and will continue to work with the ICC on this issue over the next few days.

"If the final decision is that the game will not be rescheduled, then the points issue will be addressed at that stage," he said.