David Miller: The limited-overs star with more than just money on his mind

BRAD WEST: For a man so renowned for his power it may be a surprise that South African international batsman David Miller would speak with clarity, self-awareness and hold a desire to strengthen the health of the game close to his heart

^{David Miller is currently playing for Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League}

For a man so renowned for his strength, power and destructiveness it may be a surprise to some that South African international batsman David Miller would speak with clarity, self-awareness and hold a desire to strengthen the health of the game close to his heart.

It may also be a surprise to hear a cricketer that jet sets around the world for T20 tournaments talk about the shortest format’s franchise tournaments as a vehicle to grow the game rather than to get rich quick.

Judging by this introduction it can be inferred that David Miller is anything but conventional. But then, if you have seen what he can do with a bat in hand on a cricket ground, you should already know that.

Speaking to The Cricketer at the press launch of the first two of five Icon players, himself and Andre Russell, for UAE T20x, the Emirates Cricket Board’s new T20 league that begins in December, the 29-year-old declared that he is excited about the fresh opportunity: “I think it’s an exciting time and a lot of growth can take place.

“For the position I find myself in with all these leagues around the world, this is a good opportunity. Obviously, still playing international cricket, I like to try and get experience all around the world as much as I can.”

Growth is a key part of the discussion but Miller is keen to stress that this is not just a venture on a personal level but also has a much wider scope. The new tournament in the United Arab Emirates aims to generate new income streams that can be reinvested at grassroots level and also wants to provide a platform where local and international emerging talent can develop through coaching and competition.

^{The South African will be competing in the inaugural UAE T20x in December and January}

Miller sees all of this as a great chance to expand cricket’s reach: “It’s a tournament that doesn’t really have cricketers that are playing regularly so it’s about growing the game of cricket in a different area.”

The South African states: “There are a lot of good players around the world in associate teams that don’t get the opportunity to play as much and they’ll learn and grow and teach others different ways about playing around the world. It’s a privilege to give back.”

When asked how he feels about the sport taking on more and more new countries, Miller is unequivocal: “The more the merrier. I think if it’s strong cricket and competitive cricket then it’ll be great to have more countries a part of world cricket.”

What is life like jetting between franchise tournaments and international cricket? Predictably, hectic. “It feels like I’ve been on the road for two years now. I haven’t been in my own bed forever,” says Miller.

What of the different T20 tournaments then? They can, to outsiders, look fairly similar and soulless at times watching on television, what are they like? “The different T20’s around the world have their unique ways about them and that’s the beauty of it. I’m at the CPL at the moment and there’s a lot of fun about it, a lot of hype around it. It’s a very relaxed environment but competitive on the field.

The South African continues: “Then the IPL , there’s huge hype off the field because of the amount of following there is. That creates different pressures. I haven’t played in the Big Bash or a few other tournaments but, looking at it, each tournament brings their own unique way about them. The UAE can bring their own unique way about the tournament too. It’s a really amazing opportunity that we find ourselves in as cricketers this time in cricket.”

Life is certainly not going to slow down for the middle-order batsman with T20 franchise commitments and the 2019 World Cup, for which he hopes to be a part of, all ahead within the space of the next twelve months. South Africa recently defeated Sri Lanka in an ODI series on the subcontinent as their preparations intensify ahead of the six week tournament held in England and Wales next year.

“We beat Sri Lanka 3-2, that’s a huge positive for us. It’s an exciting time for South African cricket, there’s a lot of youngsters coming through, a lot of new faces that have a no fear attitude.

“Ottis Gibson [South Africa head coach] is going to give guys opportunities and not just play the normal eleven. There will be a lot of rotation and trying different combinations as much as he can until one or two series before the World Cup. Closer to that he’s going to finalise the 11 or the 15 that he would like.”

^{The middle-order batsman is a key part of South Africa's World Cup plans as they bid for a first title}

The Proteas have never won the World Cup, not that Miller or any other South African player or fan needs reminding, but the batsman is optimistic about his country’s chances: “In going to the World Cup you always have a chance and I think we’ve got a great chance. There are a lot of exciting guys [in the South African set-up] so hopefully that holds us in good stead.”

The World Cup is not Miller’s only target. It is no secret that he has long harboured ambitions to play for South Africa in whites and he told The Cricketer: “I’ve said to so many people that it’s always been my dream to play Test cricket.

“Unfortunately it hasn’t worked out that way due to the way my one-day cricket and T20 cricket has gone so far in my career. It hasn’t allowed me to play too much red ball stuff because of the one -day tours we go on, I find myself playing two or three four-day games instead of ten, a year.”

Bearing this in mind, it would be natural to regret going entirely down a white-ball avenue but Miller is not one to rue his decisions.

“I wouldn’t regret any of my one-day and white-ball stuff, or play more four-day stuff. I would rather play international cricket than a four-day game.”

Given that Miller’s cognizance, the way he has imposed himself on so many of cricket’s big stages already, and the fact that Test selection is becoming increasingly more influenced by white-ball form, the South African must know that he can never say never. 

David Miller will be playing in the UAE T20x league, which starts December 19th- January 11th