Proteas batsman David Miller is looking forward to playing under the leadership of new ODI captain Quinton de Kock during this month’s series against England.
De Kock has succeeded former ODI captain Faf du Plessis, who wasn’t included in the squad for the three ODIs in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
‘Quinny and I have come a long way. I’d never met him before playing for South Africa, and our relationship has got stronger and stronger,’ said Miller.
‘As everyone knows, Quinny is Quinny. He’s an unbelievable performer, thinks about things very simply, but at the same time, I genuinely think as he’s got older – he’s 27 now, he’s not a young whipper-snapper. He’s actually a mature, proper senior player, and I really feel he’s got a great feel on the ground, during the game he’s got a great understanding of the game.
‘There’s a calmness to him that comes with that. He oozes enjoying the game and I think that’s a great asset that he has.’
De Kock and Miller are the most experienced in a new-look squad that features batsman Jon-Jon Smuts and Janneman Malan, who have have been capped at T20I but not ODI level. The uncapped Kyle Verreynne has also been included.
‘It’s very exciting. I saw the squad come out and it was not the normal squad that everyone’s used to seeing. It’s refreshing, seeing it from Australia, and thinking it’s a new start. Teams go up and down. I personally don’t enjoy the fact we’re just building for something,’ said Miller, who recently returned from a stint with the Hobart Hurricanes in Australia’s Big Bash League.
‘At the end of the day, in international cricket you need to perform, regardless of going through youngsters, and so on. Guys need to come in and learn as quick as possible.’
Photo: Gallo Images
