'What the hell was this Mac?' - Shane Warne to Craig McMillian's impersonation of Chanderpaul during a 2002 VB series match

Australia and their Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand will soon lock horns in a three-match One-day International series Down Under. Post the 50-over rubber, Australia will cross the Trans-Tasman for a three-match T20I series. Australia and New Zealand may have a lopsided rivalry as far as Test cricket is concerned, but the same cannot be said about their bouts in white-ball cricket- especially 50-over cricket.

And, so ahead of the latest chapters in their storied rivalry, where both sides will don retro kids, Cricket Australia has been raking up past memories of some of the most unforgettable moments involving both sides. One of the moments shared by CA’s social media handle where former Kiwi swashbuckler Craig McMillan is trying his best to impersonate Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s open chested stance during one of the league-stage games of the 2001-02 VB triangular series against Australia, has gone viral.

“I’ve seen most things; the first time I’ve seen this,” Richie Benaud, legendary former cricketer, and the commentator said on air at the time as McMillan impersonated Chanderpaul while facing Shane Warne. Reacting to the video, Shane Warne teased McMillian for his open-chested stance, as he wrote “Hahahaha! Seriously, what the hell was this Mac” on Twitter.

Hahahaha ! Seriously, what the hell was this Mac. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/LUl8wAKBhb

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 3, 2020

Craig McMillan had his fair share of success against Australia during his career

That video of Craig McMillian is from one of those rare tournaments- involving New Zealand, South Africa and the hosts- where the erstwhile world champions were completely outgunned by their opponents- especially Shane Bond. Bond troubled the Aussies with his precocious ability to move the ball at a searing pace right throughout the series, paving way for the hosts to bow out of the tournament before the finals.

Coming back to McMillan, the Kiwi swashbuckler, who spearheaded his side’s middle-order for a better part of ten years (1997-2007), too had his finest hour in International cricket at the expense of the Aussies. That moment came five years after the aforementioned series when Australia travelled to New Zealand for a three-match ODI series ahead of the 2007 World Cup.

Craig McMillan played a defining role- 52 of 30 & 117 off 96- role in the hosts chasing down 336 and 346 in consecutive ODIs to hand the then champions an unprecedented 0-3 drubbing.