FearLess Posted February 2, 2019 Posted February 2, 2019 Cape Town - Was that the most influential limited-overs international display by a South African fielder since Jonty Rhodes in 1993? Answer: quite feasibly. The format may have been different - Twenty20 match, as opposed to one-day international - but David Miller’s electric showing in the field for the Proteas at Newlands on Friday went an awfully long way to securing their narrow, six-run victory over Pakistan in the engrossing first of three T20 clashes. It had not been the best of matches at the crease for the middle-order finisher; just one of those days where a much-hyped batsman finds it hard to “middle it” in a short stay with only a few overs at his disposal. Miller, almost expected to smack every delivery onto the railway line considering the weight of reputation he carries, was dismissed for 10 off 12 balls, without managing to find the boundary once in the late scramble. But with Faf du Plessis (78 off 45 balls) and Reeza Hendricks (74 off 41) heavily to the fore earlier, the Proteas nevertheless posted a record total at the ground of 192 for six ... and were just able to defend it in the face of a determined charge by the plucky tourists. That they did so was thanks in no small measure to Miller rising inspiringly above the general level of out-fielding - again erratic - by the host nation. Fielders seldom win player-of-the-match for those exploits alone, of course, but this was one of those rare occasions where one did ... and it seemed an astute enough choice, frankly. The flawless Miller bagged four catches in the deep, his hands repeatedly appearing like reassuring buckets as Pakistani batsmen used the long handle with necessary zeal in the stiff chase. His quartet was enough to make him the first South African and seventh non-wicketkeeper worldwide to claim four catches in a T20 international (one gloveman has claimed five catches once, India’s MS Dhoni).
Premium
Recommended Posts