Proteas top six will need to get the job done – David Miller

Proteas veteran David Miller believes that they have the top order firepower to win most games and is not concerned about the team sporting a long tail at the T20 World Cup.

The Proteas preferred line-up now looks like to have a tail that starts at eight.

“We’ve got a strong enough batting unit,” Miller said ahead of South Africa’s warm-up match against Pakistan.

“There might be a game or two where we need our bowlers to pull through with the bat but ultimately you want to be scoring the bulk of your runs from the top six. If we don’t do that, we don’t deserve to win games. There’s a sense of responsibility from the batting side of things.”

David Miller thrilled to be part of Proteas leadership group

Miller isn’t the loudest cricketer in a group but is looking forward to imparting his wisdom to the squad’s younger players as part of the team’s leadership group.

“In terms of leadership, it’s really nice to be a part of the group and share my experiences,” he said. “I feel like we [some of the senior members of the squad] 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.”

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Miller revealed that he will be staying in touch with longtime friend and former teammate Hashim Amla, and leaning on him for advice during the T20 World Cup.

“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,” Miller said. “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. 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 World Cup for any advice.”

South Africa start their T20 World Cup campaign against Australia on Saturday 23 October 2021.