David Miller Quits Red-Ball Cricket With Immediate Effect

South Africa star David Miller, on Tuesday, announced that he will indefinitely be unavailable to play first-class cricket in South Africa in order to focus more on limited-overs format.

Having made his first-class debut way back in 2008,  Miller has scored 3 342 runs in 63 first-class matches at an average of over 36. He has also scored six centuries and 19 half-centuries. Just a couple of seasons ago, he compiled his highest first class score when he slammed 177 against Lions during the 2016-17 domestic season.

A known face in the T20 leagues across the globe, Miller has been a constant feature in South Africa’s ODI and T20Is teams. He has so far amassed 2588 and 1084 runs in ODIs and T20Is respectively. He has also appeared for Dolphins, Durham, Jamaica Tallawahs, Kings XI Punjab, St Lucia Zouks and Winnipeg Hawks in T20 competitions across the globe.

Speaking about the decision, Miller said it was a tough one.

Making it clear that he is prioritising white-ball cricket at the moment, Miller said the upcoming World Cup played a big role in the decision. He also said he will continue representing the Dolphins in all their white-ball assignments.

“It was a tough decision to make,” Miller said. “I have always loved playing red ball cricket but I have decided that I would, in future, like to concentrate on white ball cricket to make sure that I am in a position to give myself the best opportunity to play for the Proteas in the format that I love. This is an important decision for me, especially with the World Cup looming next year. I will also be available to play for the Dolphins in all limited-overs competitions and will give it my all to help them win trophies this season.”

Cricket South Africa Chief Executive Thabang Moroe expressed his disappointment over the news and is hopeful the left-hander would resume his red-ball career in future.

“It is disappointing to lose David from our pool of potential Test players,” Moroe said. “At the age of 29 he still has many years of good cricket left in him in all formats. But at the same time we have to understand that he wants to throw his full weight into helping the Proteas to win the ICC World Cup.

“He has time on his hands to resume his first-class career in due course. And I sincerely hope that we have not seen the last of him in red ball cricket where he has shown his undeniable talents in the past,” he added.

Miller has played 109 ODIs and 61 T20Is for the Proteas but never played a Test. Last year, he scored the fastest T20I century after reaching the landmark off just 35 balls against Bangladesh.