Proteas to open their account against Australia on Oct 23.
South Africa batsman David Miller said that he is relying on his former teammate and legendary batter Hashim Amla’s advice to achieve success in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021.
Amla has played in every World Cup over the last decade – 50-over World Cups in 2011, 2015, and 2019, as well as T20 World Cups in 2012, 2014, and 2016, and his influence on the current players is undeniable as they strive to improve their record in ICC tournaments.
Well, the Proteas side is placed in a tough Group 1 alongside Australia, England, West Indies, and two qualifiers that are yet to be determined. They will open their ICC T20 World Cup 2021 campaign against Australia on Saturday, October 23, at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Read Also: T20 World Cup 2021: Winning T20 World Cup would be my biggest achievement- Kagiso Rabada
As South Africa hasn’t won an ICC trophy since their 1998 Knockout Trophy win, Miller said that his team is looking to reset the clock this year in the T20 World Cup 2021, while insisting they are not shying away from their past baggage in the World Cups ahead of their opening game in the global event against Australia.
As reported by ESPNcricinfo, Miller stated: “The famous old saying is that you are only as good as your last game, but Hashim always said to me you're only as good as your next game. It's about resetting the clock and the mind, and trying to control and really be in the present.”
He continued, “I had the privilege to play with him for many, many years and I suppose what I have learnt from him is to not let failure get you down. We are striving for consistency in performance and, off the field, trying to be a consistent person as well. That's what I have really enjoyed about Hashim and his influence, being nice and calm, being a pillar of strength; the silent assassin.”
On the impact of Amla, the left-hander said: “He was about getting the job done but more so, being nice and consistent as a person. It has been a good journey with him and I still keep in touch with him and will continue to do that during this T20 World Cup for any advice.”
Notably, Miller played an ODI series in the UAE back in 2013, as well as the last two IPL seasons, and he hopes to pass on the knowledge he gained here in the tournament.
He signed off by saying, “In terms of leadership, it's really nice to be a part of the group and share my experiences. I feel like we have got a lot to add off the field, what we've learnt in the IPLs, in the previous IPLs and when we played here in Dubai for South Africa against Pakistan. Leadership is something we are taking on more and more, and hopefully, it all plays itself out in results.”
South Africa’s ICC T20 World Cup 2021 squad:
Temba Bavuma (captain), Keshav Maharaj, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.
Traveling reserves: Andile Phehlukwayo, George Linde, Lizaad Williams.
(With ANI Inputs)