In Quinton de Kock’s absence, David Miller will undoubtedly have to play a big role for South Africa in the three-match T20I series against India beginning on Sunday in Durban.
Miller is the only established batsman in the Proteas’ T20I squad alongside captain Aiden Markram and power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen.
However, after a moderately successful ODI World Cup campaign in India, where South Africa lost in the semi-finals to Australia, Miller has had some game time lately in the form of the Abu Dhabi T10. It’s a different format, no doubt, but that game time, he believes, bodes well for him as it keeps him in good stead and also aids his preparation for what’s expected to be a tough assignment against the strong Indian team which recently vanquished Australia 4-1.
“We’re starting the T20s against India, so it’s been a nice preparation. The T10 format is different from T20, in the sense that it has allowed me to think differently, something I would never really think of in T20 cricket.
“But it’s equally important to keep learning the whole time, trying to pick up those small things along the way and spending some time in the middle,” Miller, who made five appearances for Bangla Tigers in the Abu Dhabi T10 before leaving for national duty, told The Telegraph.
The Proteas will be assembling on Thursday and get down with their training sessions in Durban.
Strike rate has never really been a concern for this 34-year-old middle-order batsman. Even in the 50-over World Cup, the left-hander finished with a strike rate of 107.87. And by venturing into T10, Miller acknowledged his big-hitting skills and prowess, especially in the death overs, will be enhanced going into the India T20Is.
“Definitely it has enhanced... It would be silly to say no, because you’re under immense pressure to get on with the run rate and clear the ropes as many times as possible as it’s such a short format.
“So, I think it’s more execution and being clear about the bowlers. It’s mainly about momentum in small little pockets that can change everything. Just clear execution,” Miller said.
If Miller gets his execution right, it will be hard times for sure for the Indian bowlers, though the pitches for the T20I series could provide a little bit of assistance to spinners.
For Miller though, quickly adapting to a different format as well as conditions matters
a lot. “It’s pretty quick. There’s a lot happening. You’ve got to be on your game, and the game can literally change in a matter of a few balls.
“So yeah, it can be quite difficult to adapt, though I think the guys are adapting pretty well. Having said that, in these shorter formats, you just need one player to excel and the team can come up right off the back of that. The longer the format, the entire team has to be involved,” Miller said.
Impact innings
His fabulous century at Eden Gardens against Australia (101 from 116 deliveries) wasn’t enough to earn South Africa their maiden ODI World Cup final berth. But Miller wouldn’t want to complain about that.
“It’s been a long season for me, so each game is very important. In these short formats, there are going to be a lot of failures, but the major thing is having short impacts throughout the competition.
“So, it’s just very important to stay on it and yeah, it has been a really good season. I enjoyed it,” he said.
