When Peter Pollock, here at Newlands, read out the name of the 34-year-old all-rounder there was more than mere shock registering in sports equivalent of the Richter scale as evident by the stunned silence among most of the media present.
And to show that it is no longer a handicap to be a veteran Pat Symcox had his career recycled at a time when many thought it was about to be buried along with McMillan's. It all went to show that South Africa have yet to come up with adequate replacements for the two players who now earn a second tour of England.
No doubt Pollock, the selection panel convener, enjoyed the mixed reaction to McMillan's selection in a squad of 17 which contains one new cap in Mornantau Hayward and Mark Boucher as the sole wicketkeeper. But the theme of Pollock's comments of the team for the four month tour and that of the South African A side to Sri Lanka was one of proven reliability.
Pollock's five-man panel has, in the past, often been accused of being stodgy, conservative and unimaginative. Yet the composition of both sides shows that they have sat down and though hard about where they are going.
Apart from strong indications that the team for England has been geared more for a five-match test series against England than the two limited overs series, the mix is about right with a couple of players decidedly unlucky to ber ruled out.
Yet McMillan's return is no doubt designed to strengthen the lower batting order based on past experince; and it was McMillan's innings of 85 against Australia at Adelaide which did much to place South Africa in a match-winning position. It gives the side added backbone in an area which has seen a major weakness
A foot injury had, however, sidelined McMillan during the tests against Pakistan and Sri Lanka while his SuperSport Series batting form after his return from Australia was solid without being spectactular. Only his foot injury hampered his ability as a bowler and did much to keep him out of the side.
While McMillan may not be quick about the field, his slip catching is world-class with Pollock making the point the selection was more about the all-rounder's batting than bowling
``Some of the young players we chose this season did not come up to scratch,'' he said. ``We need to solidify our batting. We are not happy with the number six position. Brian had a bad season, but potentially he is such a good player.
``He's done well in England and the West Indies are coming ... we feel that it is the right move to bring him back for the number six berth. Frankly, you do not discard good players unless there is someone better to take their place.''
It could mean that Jonty Rhodes, although seen as a limited-overs player theses day, is going to be McMillan's main challenger for the position. Pollock was not shy to suggest the 28-year-old Natal batsman might have done a better job for South Africa in the lower middle-order than the young players selected to fill this role throughout the season.
As for Pat Symcox, the convener was quite blunt about where he and the other selectors stood with the future of the 37-year-old; one of their options did not include retirement. Not as yet.
``Symmo has done particularly well and with Paul Adams is our best spinner with a good record overseas.
``There is no need to replace them as there is no one who has shown us they can replace them,'' he said. ``They have done well in the past so there is no reason why they shouldn't have a good tour.''
Pollock did point out there were young players in the side and there was a good balance between youth and experience.
Hayward's selection means Steve Elworthy misses out on the tour and the query of where the selectors are heading with their ODI policy in terms of the World Cup was counted with the side was selected on the basis that it is to play five-tests and the ODI situation would be reconsidered next season.
In all there are nine fast bowlers in the team with Roger Telemachus earning a full tour cap while Pollock felt the advantage of a longer tour of England would benefit Hayward more than spending a month in Sri Lanka. There was also the thought of building for the future.
``We need to look to the future and we need to rest our fast bowlers with the international programme as it is,'' he said. ``And with three bowlers (Makahya Ntini, Roger Telemachus and Hayward) vying for a place in the test side I can see some of the English batsmen coming under ptressure.
``It is good investment in the future, especially Hayward who we feel can come learn much from this tour, as will Telemacus and Ntini,'' he added.
The view that the spinners need to become match-winners and the three going to Sri Lanka had a role to fill. Left arm spinners in Nicky Boje and Claude Henderson were in that party along with Derek Crookes.
At least Nic Pothas now knows from Pollock and Co that he is ``our next choice as wicketkeeper'' as he swallows his disappointment and gets a chance to read up on the delights of Colombo.
Along with Loodts Bosman, from Griqualand West, two caps in the A Team, Martin van Jaarsveld and Greg Smith, have been highly thought of throughout the season. It is Smith's second tour with the ``next best squad'' of 15. Smith was in England two years ago but had his career waylaid by an injury which took time to heal.
Like Smith the young Northerns batsman Van Jaarsveld has a promising career and earns his place after a consistent A Section season. There, are, however, going to be a few disappointed players with Bota Dippenar and Neil McKenzie failing to make the list. Instead Herchelle Gibbs, Loots Bosman, Ashwell Prince and Alan Dawson have been included.
Skippered by Dale Benkenstein, captain of the under-24 team which toured Sri Lanka three years ago, names such as HD Ackerman, Nicky Boje, named vice-captain, and Mark Bruyns will be familiar to the Lankans.
Squads:
South Africa (in England): Hansie Cronje (capt), Gary Kirsten, Gehardus Liebenberg, Adam Bacher, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Jonty Rhodes, Brian McMillan, Mark Boucher, Paul Adams, Allan Donald, Pat Symcox, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Makhaya Ntini, Roger Telemachus, Hayward Mornantau.
South Africa A (in Sri Lanka): Dale Benkenstein (capt), Nicky Boje (v-capt), HD Ackerman, Herschelle Gibbs, Mark Bruyns, Martin van Jaarsveld, Nic Pothas, Loots Bosman, Derek Crookes, Claude Henderson, Henry Williams, Alan Dawson, Ashwell Prince, Greg Smith, Herman Bakkes.