David Miller’s Tykes thriller (From York Press)

David Miller’s Yorkshire thriller

10:43am Wednesday 22nd August 2012 in Sport By Graham Hardcastle

David Miller has loved his time in a Yorkshire shirt this season more than he could ever have imagined when he arrived on an overseas deal from South Africa in early June.

The left-handed powerhouse batsman, also a brilliant fielder, has been a star in his new county’s run to their first ever Friends Life t20 Finals Day this Saturday, something which he has described as “a privilege” to be involved in.

He has had to convince his bosses at Cricket South Africa to allow him to leave the current ‘A’ tour in Ireland to link up with his Yorkshire team-mates for Finals Day, and has also revealed he hopes to return to Headingley next year and beyond.

At 23-years-old, Natal-born Miller has vast experience of Twenty20 cricket having played domestically for the Dolphins in South Africa, Kings XI Punjab in India and Durham and Yorkshire in England. He has also played six times for his country in this format.

But he has admitted to enjoying this campaign as much as any other in a professional career that began in 2008.

“Yeah, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here, I've loved every minute," he said.

“When I got offered the chance to come and play for Yorkshire, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to help move forward with my cricket. I believe I have done that with the help of my team-mates and the coaches here.

“The club have been brilliant in every area, both on the field and off it. It’s meant a lot to me.

“The first week was all about getting to know the guys, but I seemed to break through the barrier after just a couple of days. I’ve enjoyed it ever since, it’s been a great journey so far. It would be great to finish this season with a trophy.

“Hopefully I can then come back next year and do a bit more for them. I haven’t heard anything yet, but I’m sure something will be finalised at a later stage.”

Miller is Yorkshire’s leading t20 run-scorer this season with 271 from ten matches, including three fifties and a best of 74 not out against Durham at the Riverside.

And if Yorkshire are to overcome Sussex in the semi-final, you would think he would have to significantly add to that tally.

“They’ve obviously got a strong team, and it seems as if everybody is thinking they'll be the favourites, but it’s all about on the day,” added Miller, who would be available to Yorkshire if they beat Sussex and made it to October's Champions League. “We’re confident of doing the business.

“The Champions League is going to be a massive prize in itself, never mind winning the final at night.

“If you get through that first game, you've got absolutely nothing to lose. It's going to be a great opportunity.”

Yorkshire warm-up for Finals Day with their penultimate Clydesdale Bank 40 match against Kent at Canterbury tonight.