David Miller pays back coach’s trust with immense innings against India

With South Africa in trouble early on in their first Super 8s match – a repeat of the last tournament final in Barbados – Miller came in and steadied the ship with a top score of 63. 

While it may have been a comprehensive and statement victory on enemy territory, Miller confessed that it was anything but an easy one.

"No it wasn't easy, playing against India is always very difficult and they've got an incredible team and players. We've played a lot with them and against them in the IPL and when it's two big teams like that it's about making sure that you do the simple things for longer periods of time,” Miller said. 

“When the pressure does come you kind of absorb it, get through that and like I said it takes a team effort. So, scoring 187 that we got, I think it was a fair total. I thought we were pushing for 200, plus but then getting three wickets in the power play with our bowlers, the guys bowled phenomenally well and backed it up with good fielding. 

“So, I really thought it was an all around great performance, putting them under pressure."

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The veteran came to the crease with his team in dire straits at 20/3 and having lost both openers Quinton de Kock and captain Aiden Markram, as well as Ryan Rickelton. 

It was set up perfectly for him to be the hero for the day, and he fell short of saying that’s exactly the situation in which he flourishes most.

"You know what, batting in the middle order, I think it really does allow for opportunities when the team is down. You don't often get a good opportunity and be able to bat long periods of time so when the team, I should really enjoy it,” he added. 

“Obviously, you don't want to be in trouble but I do find the positive out of it and it allows me to make a flair. It's really cool to be able to put on a performance like that, like I said, it takes a team effort. 

“The guys bowled phenomenally well tonight and then Stubbs [Tristan] came in on the back end there and scored a quick 40, which was massive in the context of things."