Shane Warne and Brian McMillan — The Johannesburg Gun Incident, 1994

Australia has always been known for giving plenty when it comes to sledging. Few did it better than Shane Warne, who mixed sharp words with sharp spin to get into opponents' heads. But in Johannesburg, 1994, on Australia's historic first tour of South Africa since their re-admission, the master of mind games was caught off guard.

Brian McMillan, the strong South African all-rounder, had enough of Warne's jokes, and what followed became one of cricket’s strangest off-field moments.

The Background

The rivalry began during South Africa's tour of Australia before 1994. After a run-out mix-up with Peter Kirsten, Warne teased McMillan: “Looks like you don't fancy it very much, Depardieu." (McMillan resembled French actor Gérard Depardieu).

McMillan shot back coldly: "A lot of people go missing every day in South Africa… one more won't be noticed."

He later even joked about using Warne as shark bait. Warne laughed it off, but admitted to Mark Taylor nervously: "Do you think he meant it?"

The Incident

At lunch during the first Test at the Wanderers, the Australian team was eating in their dressing room when the door suddenly opened. In came McMillan, holding an AK-47 borrowed from a policeman outside, and shouting: "Right, I've had enough of you Australians."

For a few seconds, the room froze. Warne, usually the confident one, was rattled. Then McMillan laughed, put the gun aside, and the tension broke. Some accounts say he even offered the Aussies a beer.

The Aftermath

Warne later wrote: "It seemed my sledging had gone too far when McMillan stormed in holding a gun… It was scary for a second or two, then we all laughed. He is a character; the game needs them."

No punishment followed. In the 1990s, such incidents were brushed off as part of cricket's rough edges — though in today's game, it would have been taken far more seriously.

Final Note

The Johannesburg gun stunt remains one of cricket's most bizarre flashpoints. Warne's words had finally been turned back on him, and for once the great sledger was lost for words.