Champions Trophy 2025: Injury concern for South Africa as David Miller picks niggle in SA20 clash
David Miller picked up a niggle while fielding in the Paarl Royals versus Durban Super Giants clash on Monday, January 27.
Veteran South African batter David Miller sustained an injury during Paarl Royals’ SA20 2025 encounter against Durban Super Giants on Monday, January 27, at Boland Park, Paarl. Miller, who is the skipper of the Royals, picked up the injury while fielding in the covers during Durban skipper Marcus Stoinis’s knock.
Miller, who is a magnificent fielder, made an unsuccessful attempt to stop a shot. To make matters worse, the 35-year-old sustained a niggle during the process. The medical staff came out to the field to attend to Miller. However, in spite of the initial treatment, the veteran had to return to the dressing room.
The southpaw did not come out to bat in the second innings but solid knocks from Rubin Hermann (59) and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (43) helped the Royals chase down a 144-run target with six wickets and a ball to spare.
However, Miller has suffered the niggle less than a month before the Champions Trophy. He is a vital cog in South Africa's 50-over setup. While there is plenty of batting talent in the Rainbow Nation, Miller's finishing ability and truckloads of experience makes him an invaluable part of the Proteas lineup. Cricket South Africa (CSA) is expected to closely monitor the extent of his injury in the coming days.
Lungi Ngidi also in doubt
Right-arm seamer Lungi Ngidi has also been picked in South Africa's 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy. The former teammate of Miller at Paarl Royals has been sidelined for the last four SA20 games due to lingering effects of a groin injury. The fast bowler had only recently returned to competitive cricket after missing South Africa’s entire summer international season.
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South Africa are placed in Group B in the Champions Trophy alongside Afghanistan, Australia, and England. Temba Bavuma and Co. will want to end South Africa's long wait for an ICC title later this year in the eight-team tournament.
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