Cape Town – Boland Park is a quaint, picturesque venue that is one of the hidden gems of South African cricket, but it is not likely to sit at the top of most international cricketers' ‘favourite grounds’ list.
It doesn’t have the history of Newlands, the atmosphere of the Wanderers or the band of St George’s Park. But it is here where David Miller,pictured, will begin a two-month journey today that could define his career.
The prodigiously talented left-hander played no part in the recent One-Day series against England with all-rounders David Wiese and Chris Morris fulfilling Miller’s customary power-hitting role at the back end of the innings.
However, in the shortest format, there are few better equipped than the 26-year-old from Pietermaritzburg to single-handedly change the course of a match. Such is his elevated value in Twenty20 cricket that his Indian Premier League franchise, Kings XI Punjab, have appointed him as their skipper for this year’s edition that immediately follows the World T20 in India next month.
He should come straight back into the Proteas T20 starting XI for Friday’s opener against England at Newlands, but will first get an all-important hit out against the same opposition today for the South Africa A side at the winelands ground. Although Miller has had plenty of net practice with the Proteas during the ODI series, there is nothing like actual game time in the middle, especially since he hasn’t played since January 29.
“It is a great opportunity for Davey to have some playing time. He’s obviously not played in a while and any time in the middle will be advantageous ahead of a few big series' against England and Australia and then obviously the World T20. It is obviously a big game for him to build some confidence,” SouthAfrica A coach Vincent Barnes said yesterday.
Miller was only due to join Barnes and the rest of his SA A teammates this morning after a team building session with the Proteas in Hermanus where they partook in shark cage diving among other things. Coming so close to the predators of the ocean could just ignite the fire within Miller that the Proteas will no doubt need at the World T20.
“There is a no doubt Davey is a world class T20 player. He has loads of experience having played in the IPL for many years,: Barnes said. “I’ve had him with me before. We won’t over complicate things for him when he joins up with us. I try to create an environment in which players can come in and enjoy themselves. I want players to express themselves. It is difficult to create a team culture in virtually one day, but we’re here to win and want players to put in good individual performances against quality opposition that will help their growth as cricketers.”
Barnes indicated that Miller will most likely bat at No 4 and could even be promoted up the order should the home team get a solid start.
Proteas coach Russell Domingo will no doubt be keeping a close eye on proceedings in Paarl with his fellow World T20 squad members Farhaan Behardien and Aaron Phangiso also in action tonight.
The latter, especially, will be looking to impress Domingo after enduring a few turbulent months. Phangiso has not been part of a national squad since the India tour and has also had to offer an apology for his drunken behaviour on an international flight.
He remains, though, a quality left-arm spinner that could play an integral role at the World T20 in the subcontinent’s spin-friendly conditions and will need a couple of good performances here in South Africa before departure to repay the faith and trust shown by Domingo and the selection panel in his abilities. - The Star