David Miller has promised to back South Africa’s new T20I captain Aiden Markram after admitting he hoped he would be given consideration for the position.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested,”
Miller previously stated in South Africa’s second One-Day International match against the West Indies in Potchefstroom.
“I’ve really enjoyed the journey I’ve had with the Proteas and the experience that I’ve got. The fact that I am not captain, I am most certainly not bitter or anything towards anyone. I want to put my best foot forward for the team and support Aiden in that role.”
Miller has played for 12 years at the international level and has led South Africa in matches with Pakistan, England, and Ireland. He was one of the leading candidates for the position Temba Bavuma resigned from when he was named Test captain. He has also served as the captain of Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Barbados Royals, and Paarl Royals in T20 leagues.
Even so, Markram, the current captain of the SA20 champion Sunrisers Eastern Cape and a former South African Under-19 captain who won the age-group World Cup, was chosen. No remarks regarding a vice-captain were made.
“He is an extremely great leader and he has got a lot of maturity and a calmness about him,”
Miller said of Markram.
“And that just moves throughout the change room. It’s a great option and with Rob (Walter) coming in as the new (white-ball) coach, they are going to form a great combination. I am there to support the guys in whatever they need from me.”
Miller’s knowledge of the middle-order is essential and will be helpful. He missed the opening ODI of the series against the West Indies because he was on his way back from the PSL, and South Africa fell 48 runs short of their target of 336 runs on Saturday.
Also, they had Ryan Rickelton, Tony de Zorzi, and Tristan Stubbs make their batting debuts; however, none of them were able to remain at the wicket for long enough to support Bavuma, who was having an outstanding performance.
Miller is ready to guide the youngsters in making wiser choices on the field.
“It’s great to see the young guys coming in and getting a taste of international cricket,” he said.
“It’s really healthy with the standard that we’ve got and it’s a matter of time before all these new guys come in and start performing at their best. I just want to make the impact that I can on and off the field; for the new guys in the squad to feed off my experience and learning. I am always learning by myself; learning from them as well.”
“The young guys have some different thought processes when they bat and bowl, so for me it’s just to boost the guys on the field, recognise moments in the game that I have seen more often than they have, keep that communication throughout the game and keep the guys nice and calm.”
With a victory on Tuesday in Potchefstroom, South Africa can square the series before moving on to the final three Twenty20 Internationals against the West Indies.
The summer’s final and most important test is then approaching. In two crucial World Cup Super League ODIs, South Africa took on the Netherlands, who eliminated them from the T20 World Cup in November. as reported earlier this month.
In order to participate in these games, South Africa withdrew all of their international stars from the first three days of the IPL. Until the evening of April 2, the day of the last match versus the Netherlands, will they take off.
Miller will therefore be absent from Gujarat Titans’ first game against Chennai Super Kings but will make it to India in time for their second game on April 4 against Delhi Capitals. His availability, though, would likely depend on any travel-related fatigue.
“They (Titans) were really upset. It’s always a big thing playing in Ahmedabad. I am a bit disappointed to be missing that but to put on the green and gold has always been a huge privilege and honor and we have got some work to do in those two games against Netherlands.”
“So I think having a strong team – the best squad that we can pick – is definitely the way forward. I will be missing one game so whether I’m somewhat disappointed or not, the process has taken place.”
In comparison to last year, when the CSA gave the players the option of attending the IPL or staying at home for the Tests against Bangladesh, this year the board made the decision for the players big respect to an agreement with the South African Cricketers’ Association that gives them the right to keep players available for the national team.
“We weren’t given an option in any way,” Miller said. “Be that as it may, we’ve got our best squad on the park and we’ve got a lot of work to do in those two games so it will be nice to be able to focus on that.”