Damien Fleming on the time Shane Warne was threatened with a gun

AN AUSSIE legend has recalled on the time Shane Warne was sent a threatening note before having the dressing room stormed.

Warne was a famous sledger of South Africans.

AUSTRALIANS have always been the unofficial kings of sledging in international cricket, but sometimes getting under the opposition’s skin can land you in some hot water.

Shane Warne learned that the hard way against South Africa during the Proteas’ tour in 1993-94, the first time they played an official Test series in Australia after a lengthy ban due to apartheid.

The legendary leg-spinner, who went on to become Australia’s most successful Test bowler, is famously known for sledging South African star Daryll Cullinan to breaking point, forcing the former batsman to seek help from a psychologist to shut out the Aussie’s verbal onslaught.

The former Aussie spinner’s tirade of sledges against the Proteas was so brutal it was only a matter of time before one of them bit back.

All-rounder Brian McMillan, a target of Warne’s that series, was so aggravated by his trash-talk he sent an ominous note to the spinner with a strong warning.

Former Aussie fast bowler Damien Fleming reflected on the historic moment on his podcast, The Bowlology Report.

Brian McMillan sure doesn’t mince his words.

Shane Warne was famous for sledging South Africans.

“Warnie was sledging him all day in Sydney. Then there was a note (sent) saying the Aussies were touring South Africa in a couple of months,” he said.

“(It said) ‘Warnie, thousands of people go missing a day in South Africa, one fat leg-spinner won’t be missed’.”

McMillan, not letting a few words get in the way of some physical intimidation, made good on his offer in his home country soon after, storming the Aussie dressing room with a weapon during the lunch break of the Johannesburg Test.

Warne briefly mentioned the sledging war in a post for the Daily Mail, claiming the 38-Test star threatened to use him as shark bait while fishing.

“I thought nothing of it all — until we went to South Africa,” Warne wrote. “It was lunch in Johannesburg and we were just starting to tuck in when McMillan stormed in wielding the gun, which he had borrowed from a policeman outside, shouting: ‘Right, I’ve had enough of you Australians’.”

Warne assured the act was all bravado and said the Aussies all had a laugh with their rival.

“It was scary for a second or two, then we all laughed. We have shared a few beers and got to know him over the years. He is a character; the game needs them.”