![David Miller [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793942740327_DavidMillerforSouthAfrica.jpg?type=hq)
David Miller [Source: AFP]
David Miller came surprisingly close to adding a Test cap to his international career during South Africa’s 2025 tour of Pakistan. The experienced left-hander, who has represented the Proteas extensively in white-ball cricket, was reportedly part of head coach Shukri Conrad’s plans for the series.
However, an injury shortly before the tour put an end to those plans. Conrad has now disclosed the previously unknown selection plan and revealed how disappointed David Miller was.
South Africa Coach explains David Miller’s feelings after Test debut failure at 36
South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad has revealed that David Miller was left gutted after an injury prevented him from making his Test debut during the 2025 tour of Pakistan. The batter was expected to be included in the squad, but his hopes of finally playing the longest format for his country were cut short before the series.
Speaking on The Super Over Podcast, Conrad explained that South Africa wanted to have left-handed batters in their lineup for the subcontinent tours. He believed they could offer a useful option against the opposition's spin attack, particularly Pakistan's Noman Ali and India's Ravindra Jadeja.
"I always felt that if I've got the right left-handers in Pakistan and India, I've got a chance. Because the threat in Pakistan was always going to be Noman Ali...and [Ravindra] Jadeja in India," Conrad said.
The coach then disclosed that Miller was supposed to travel to Pakistan with the team and make his first appearance in Test cricket. However, the injury came at the wrong time and ruled him out of the opportunity.
"No one knows that David Miller was meant to go to Pakistan to play his first Test match. And he got injured just before that. He was gutted," he added.
David Miller's international career remains limited to white-ball cricket
Despite being one of South Africa's most experienced international batters, Miller has never played a Test match for the Proteas. He made his T20I debut against West Indies on May 20, 2010, before earning his first ODI cap at the same venue two days later.
Since then, Miller has become a key figure in South Africa's limited-overs setup, particularly because of his finishing ability and experience in pressure situations.
In ODIs, the left-hander has scored 4,762 runs in 180 matches at an average of 42.90. His record includes eight centuries and 24 half-centuries, with a highest score of 142. He has also accumulated 2,804 runs in 140 T20Is at an average of 33.78, including two centuries and nine fifties.
Miller's experience in the longer format, however, was not limited to international white-ball cricket. He made his first-class debut for Warriors against Dolphins in January 2008 and went on to score 3,342 runs in 63 matches at an average of 36.32. His tally included six centuries and 19 half-centuries, with a career-best score of 177.
