They say ‘catches win matches’ and performances like these remind us why. South African cricketer David Miller proved his worth with his athletic display against Pakistan in the 1st T20I of three-match series at Newlands, Capetown yesterday. The left-handed batsman was quite ordinary with the bat scoring just 10 runs off 12 deliveries but boy, did he deliver while fielding.
He started out by pulling off a lightening fast run-out to get rid of a dangerous Babar Azam, which happened to be the turning point of the match. Pakistan were chasing a challenging target of 193. Even though wickets kept tumbling, they found a way to remain in contention.
As Pakistani batsmen resorted to big-hitting, Miller came into play. Fielding in the outfield, Miller caught four Pakistani batsmen. Fielders tend to drop the ball in the lights but Miller capitalised on every chance he got. He made up for others’ incompetence as well, converting a dropped chance of run out in the 18th over.
The game could have been anyone’s right to the penultimate delivery of the match. The 29-year-old was guarding the long on boundary with 10 needed off 2 balls. Shadab almost found a boundary, but Miller was quick to reach the ball, despite the awkward bounce.
South Africa is known for producing extraordinarily agile players over the decades. They gave the world legendary fielders like Jonty Rhodes, AB de Villiers and now Miller.
A huge mention has to go to this man, @DavidMillerSA12!
Six dismissals in one match; four catches and two magnificent run outs to help SA take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series #KFCT20 #ProteaFire #SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/a55g37bBgR
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 1, 2019
The charismatic Proteas batsman created history by becoming the first player to get the ‘man of the match’ award for fielding. Just so you know, South African batsmen Reeza Hendricks and Faf du Plessis scored quickfire 74 and 78 respectively.
Twitter lauded the fielder for his unique feat in their own way:
Miller everywhere
Me ne choclate khany ky liye freezer khola freezer mein se bhi david miller nikal aya#Miller everywhere #PakvsSA pic.twitter.com/omUMgaqLNo
— PSL Troll (@psl_troll) February 1, 2019
A feat to cherish
Of all players who didn’t take a wicket or score more than 10 runs in a T20I, only two have earned a player-of-the-match award.
David Miller today 4 catches/2 runouts
Nathan Bracken 4-1-16-0 spell vs NZ— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 1, 2019
It sure seemed like it
71% of earth’s surface is covered by water, the rest by that David Miller.
— Muhammad Asad. (@GoStudyAsad) February 1, 2019
From one fielder to another
David Miller getting the Man of the Match for his fielding. 4 catches and 2 run outs was a very special fielding effort and turned out to be the difference. #FieldingJamaao
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 1, 2019
The absolute funny side of it
David Miller: 4 Catches 2 Run Outs#PakvSA pic.twitter.com/n6rOZl9o0i
— Ahsan. (@imPakistaniLAD) February 1, 2019
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