South Africa white-ball captain Temba Bavuma stated that the idea of David Miller batting higher for the national side will be discussed with the batter, ahead of their five-match away T20I series against India.
David Miller, the experienced South Africa middle-order batter, endured his best IPL season in 10 years of participation, aggregating 481 runs at 68.71, while striking them at 142.73. His consistency in an otherwise unfancied batting line-up was a major contributor in the team’s winning run in their maiden IPL campaign.
While talking of the secret to his success during the course of the tournament, Miller had mentioned that he felt “extremely backed and secure” by GT, something which wasn’t quite the case with his previous franchises.
Temba Bauma, the South Africa white-ball skipper, was extremely pleased with the left-hander’s brilliant run, ahead of the side’s five-match T20I series in India.
“It’s always nice to see guys in form. A guy like David lifting the trophy with the Gujarat Titans – the confidence that he will bring into the team, we look forward to that,” Bavuma said on the eve of the team’s departure to India. “David has performed exceedingly well at the IPL and I’m sure that will do a world of good for his confidence.”
Miller had also expressed that batting for longer periods aided his form during the IPL. Will he get a chance to do so for South Africa too? The skipper opened up on the prospect.
“The conversations that I have had with David, he has never expressed those types of feelings to me,” Bavuma said. “As far as I know, David is still an integral member within our team and we trust his performances will continue well into the future.”
“In terms of him batting a bit longer, that has always been the conversation over the years when David has done well, He understands where he fits in within the team. If he feels he can add more value within a different position, a conversation can be had in that regard. There is no way we are going to stifle him or restrict David in any manner. That’s how we try to treat all the players. We try to set them up in positions where they can succeed and make strong plays for the team.”
The first India-South Africa T20I will be played in Delhi on June 9.
