Former SA all-rounder Brian McMillan, who turns 53 today, is our Legend of the Week.
McMillan was an ever-present in the South African setup ever since he featured in his country’s first home series since readmission, against India in 1992. ‘Big Mac’, then a 28-year-old, stamped his mark at international level with a Man-of-the-Match performance in the second Test at the Wanderers.
The Test was drawn, but it could have been a different outcome were it not for the efforts of the burly all-rounder. At 73-5, the South Africans were in all sorts of trouble, but coming in at No 7, he piled on 98 amongst an 85-run stand with Jonty Rhodes to eventually take them to 292 all out.
McMillan was then asked to open the bowling in the absence of Meryck Pringle who suffered a blow to the face while batting, and proceeded to take 4-74 to give his side a first-innings lead. It allowed South Africa to set a target of 318, which India decided to bat out, before the match was called with the tourists on 141-4.
McMillan played 38 Tests across six years, scoring 1 968 runs at an average of 39.36, and took 75 wickets at 33.82.
Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images
