I love playing for South Africa, nothing's changed: David Miller

David Miller has reaffirmed that playing for South Africa remains his top priority despite falling out of the national team’s central contract list in April. Miller was on a hybrid contract last season but was omitted from Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) centrally contracted group, a move that many felt signalled the end of his international career. His continued commitment, however, suggests there are still chapters left to be written in his journey as a Protea.

“I lost my contract with Cricket South Africa and it’s never really nice, but it’s part of life,” Miller was quoted as saying by Cricinfo in Durban, two days out of the first ODI against Australia. “I still want to play for South Africa, I’m still making myself available and it’s just about making sure that everything is communicated really well.”

Miller said he has always relished testing himself against the “best in the world,” something that only international cricket consistently provides. Although disappointed to lose his central contract, he vowed to continue representing South Africa for as long as the selectors back him.

“I just want to play against the best. I love competing against the best in the world. And so making myself available for South Africa is something that I’ve always wanted to do,” Miller said. “My priority has always been South Africa. Although I’ve played a lot of leagues, I’ve always wanted to play for South Africa and I love playing for South Africa. Nothing’s changed. It’s just that I’ve lost my contract. That’s pretty much where it stands, and I still make myself available. So if selected, then I’ll play.”

Miller’s presence remains vital as South Africa prepare to co‑host the 2027 ODI World Cup alongside Namibia and Zimbabwe. In 178 ODIs, he has scored 4611 runs at an average of 42.30 and a strike rate of 103.68, with seven centuries and 24 fifties, continuing to serve as one of South Africa’s most reliable finishers.