Explosive batter David Miller has made a monumental mark in the annals of South African cricket history by becoming the first player from his nation to surpass the 10,000-run milestone in T20 cricket. This historic achievement came while Miller was playing for the Paarl Royals during the SA20 2024 Eliminator match against the Joburg Super Kings, which took place at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Wednesday, February 7.
Before this match, Miller was already among the elite group of South African batters, alongside Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers, who had amassed over 9,000 runs in the T20 format. With his performance on Wednesday, Miller not only joined but also became the 12th international player to exceed the 10,000 run mark in T20 cricket, showcasing his consistent performance and longevity in the format.
Miller needed just 28 runs to reach the 10K milestone before the game, and he achieved this landmark with ease. This achievement places him among the legends of the game.
List of cricketers with 10,000 runs in T20s:
Chris Gayle: 14,562
Shoaib Malik: 13,077
Kieron Pollard: 12,577
Alex Hales: 12,002
Virat Kohli: 11,994
David Warner: 11,860
Aaron Finch: 11,458
Rohit Sharma: 11,156
Jos Buttler: 11,146
Colin Munro: 10,602
James Vince: 10,070
David Miller: 10,019
David Miller's average season in SA20
Throughout the SA20 2024 season, Miller showed below-par form with the bat for the Paarl Royals. Over 10 matches, he accumulated 240 runs at an average of 30 and a strike rate of 118.22, with his highest score being an unbeaten 75 against the Pretoria Capitals at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
In the crucial Eliminator match against the Joburg Super Kings, Miller delivered a decent performance batting at No.6, scoring 47 runs off 40 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes. Despite his efforts and setting up a respectable total of 138/10 in 18.5 overs for the Royals, the team could not secure a win. The Super Kings, led by openers Leus du Plooy and Du Plessis, chased down the target effortlessly with 40 balls to spare, securing a 9-wicket victory.
Miller's achievement of surpassing 10,000 T20 runs is a testament to his skill, dedication, and impact on the game, solidifying his status as one of the premier T20 batsmen in cricket history and highlighting his significant contribution to South African cricket.
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