David Miller quits first-class cricket in South Africa

Miller has played 63 first-class games domestically.

David Miller | Getty

South African middle-order batsman David Miller has announced his unavailability for first-class cricket till an indefinite term, as the explosive hitter strives to prolong his limited overs career for the Proteas. 

Miller, whose ambition is to be South Africa's key player during the ICC Cricket World Cup in England next year, wants to focus solely on that objective as of now and feels, dividing time for domestic red-ball game would hamper it. 

Miller, who has scored 3 342 runs at 36.32 across 63 first-class matches with six centuries and 19 half-centuries, was quoted saying, "It was a tough decision to make, 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." he added. 

Regarding the alarming situation and development for the game in the rainbow nation, Thabang Moroe, Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO, said, "It is disappointing to lose David from our pool of potential Test players. 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 concluded. 

(Inputs from Sport 24)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 11 Sep, 2018

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