David Miller has made it clear that losing his national contract has not changed his commitment to the Proteas as the experienced batter prepares for South Africa’s ODI series against Australia.
The three-match series gets underway on Thursday, 24 September, with Miller returning to a Proteas setup where competition for middle-order places continues to grow.
Despite no longer being nationally contracted, the 37-year-old says his position remains simple: he wants to play for South Africa.
“My priority has always been South Africa.
“You know, although that I play in a lot of leagues and stuff, I just, I’ve always wanted to play for South Africa and I love playing for South Africa. So I don’t think anything, well, nothing’s changed. It’s just that I’ve lost my contract.
“So that’s pretty much where it stands and I still make myself available. So if selected, then I’ll play.”
Losing his national contract
Miller admitted that losing his Cricket South Africa contract was difficult, but says communication with Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad has remained open.
“Yeah, I lost my contract with Cricket South Africa and it wasn’t really, it’s never really nice that, but it’s part of life and it’s just something that I’m personally still have explained my motives in playing for South Africa that I still want to play for South Africa, still making myself available.”
Without a national contract, Miller has continued playing franchise cricket around the world while maintaining communication with the Proteas setup.
“So my situation, mainly Shukri, I’ve been in touch with him every so often over the last couple of months. And yeah, it’s been pretty transparent.
“And, you know, I just, again, I just want to play against the best.
“I love competing against the best in the world. And so making myself available for South Africa is something that I’ve always wanted to do.”
Competition for places
Miller’s return comes at an interesting time for South Africa’s middle order.
Conrad has previously identified Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis and Matthew Breetzke among the players competing for positions as the Proteas continue building their ODI side.
Miller welcomes that competition.
“Yes, definitely. Like I said earlier, the competition is really healthy.
“There’s a lot of players doing well, putting their hands up and I just, again, in my own process, it’s about doing what works for me, giving myself the best chance and preparing really well, giving everything that I can for the team and servicing wherever I can.”
While many of those competing with him are considerably younger, Miller believes his experience gives him reason to trust his own game.
“I’ve got to trust what’s worked in my career. And again, not putting a lot of pressure on myself because I know what I’m worth and I know what I’m capable of.
“And it’s just about making sure that I’m really focused and tuned in to what’s important.”
Rather than viewing South Africa’s selection decisions negatively, Miller sees the depth developing within the squad as encouraging.
“It’s always a tough selection for any selector, coach, players. It’s always a difficult one.
“But again, it’s healthy to have these players and have rather too many players than too little. So it is a healthy place to be in for South Africa and more so probably really happy that that’s actually the case.
“So yeah, again, I just want to do what I can and I know what I’m worth.”
Another opportunity against Australia
Australia have been familiar opponents throughout Miller’s international career.
Some of his most memorable ODI performances have come against them, but Miller doesn’t believe there is any particular secret behind that record.
“It’s so worked out that way.
“Probably just the situation that I found myself in, having the opportunity to bat some time in those games and manage to get through and get myself in and obviously score those hundreds that I did. But there’s no answer to it. It’s just so worked out.”
What he does enjoy is the challenge Australia provide.
“I do enjoy playing against Australia. They always have been a really competitive team and individual, incredibly high skilled players individually.
“So for me personally playing against teams like that and players like that, it’s you always want to be playing against the best.
“It’s kind of raising your standard and being tested against the best is always nice.”
Hoping for another special Durban memory
The series will also bring Miller back to a ground that holds particularly fond memories against Australia.
Ten years ago at Kingsmead, Miller produced one of his memorable international innings, scoring 116 from 79 balls as South Africa completed a huge run chase.
Being reminded that the innings came a decade ago prompted an immediate response.
“That makes me feel very… old. I feel very young, but that doesn’t feel like 10 years ago.”
The significance of that performance, however, has not faded.
“Yeah, it’s definitely one for the memory bank for me personally.
“It was a big total and we kind of chipped away at that and made it into a very special day. One of the highest chases for South Africa, I think it was.
“And something that I always look back on, but again, being in Durban, my home, you know, where I grew up and it made it really special.
“So hopefully we can make a little 10 year reunion.”
A home World Cup remains the dream
Beyond Australia lies a much bigger target.
South Africa will be one of the hosts of the 2027 Cricket World Cup, and Miller admits representing his country at a World Cup on home soil would carry enormous significance.
“Yeah, I mean just let alone a World Cup would be amazing, but being at home would be something even more special.
“You know, all the sacrifices, the friends and schooling and where you were raised makes it so much more special. So it would be a dream come true.”
Miller, however, isn’t assuming he will be there.
“A lot of hard work for myself and I just want to make sure that I’m ready to go and put myself in a position to be able to make that team.”
At this stage of his career, he remains happy with his game and believes his experiences playing around the world have left him in a good position heading into the home summer.
“I’m actually personally feeling really good with my game. I’ve been around playing a bit of cricket overseas. Felt like I’ve been contributing nicely to the team that I’ve been playing in and feeling nice and fit and just contributing to where I can.
“That’s always been my thing, is just try and do the best that I can, whichever team that is, whichever situation I find myself in.”
Keeping the World Cup in perspective
Miller makes no secret of wanting to win a World Cup with South Africa.
“I mean, it would be stupid not to say yes, because I mean, that’s obviously a quest and it’s a dream come true.
“So every player, every team going to a World Cup wants to win the World Cup.”
But after years of competing at major ICC tournaments, Miller also understands the danger of becoming consumed by the end goal.
“We’ve played really good cricket over the last couple of years. We’ve done really well in World Cups.
“I haven’t won the World Cup, but we’ve certainly been knocking on the door.”
For now, his attention remains on Australia and continuing to build a winning South African ODI side.
“I think this series is incredibly important to make sure that we’re continually playing a winning brand of cricket.
“It’s always been our priority is to win games of cricket for South Africa.
“So the series is really important. And as you move forward, each step of the way, it kind of just you’re smoothing out certain things within the squad, within the team, and then we’ll kind of get to the World Cup when it comes.”
For Miller, then, the equation hasn’t changed.
The national contract may be gone. The competition for his position may be increasing. But his ambition to represent South Africa remains.
“I’ve always wanted to play for South Africa and I love playing for South Africa.”
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