The opportunity to play in an ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final at Eden Park means “everything” to middle order batsman, David Miller. The 25-year-old is featuring in his first World Cup and says the pressure moments that come with playing in a World event are a privilege and an experience which every cricketer works towards.
“Personally, it means everything to me,” Miller said on Sunday March 22 in Auckland. “It’s the first World Cup for me and it’s a dream come true for me, so to be in a semi-final, that’s another notch on the belt. I’m really excited for what is coming on Tuesday, it’s going to be a great game ahead. New Zealand is playing really well, we are playing really well, so it will be a good contest.
“Not a lot of people get this opportunity to be in that moment,” he said of enjoying the pressure situations. “There is obviously a lot of pressure, a lot of things going on in your head, but it’s actually a privilege to be in that position. The guys have worked really hard in their careers, all the highs and lows come down to a moment like this.”
New Zealand is unbeaten in the tournament, and as one of the host nations, enters the match as the favourites. Miller says it will come down to whoever can absorb the most pressure during the key moments, particularly against a side that has been dominant with both bat and ball.
“We have had a game plan over the last two years that we have been sticking to,” he explained. “It’s about everyone coming through at the right times when the team needs them. Pakistan wasn’t a great result, but the consistency we have had as a team over the last while has been phenomenal. For us taking that confidence of what’s happened in the past into Tuesday’s game will be vital. And obviously assessing the situation on the day.”
The Eden Park field dimensions bring a unique factor to the preparation for the match, and will need a change in approach from the batsmen, particularly with the short straight boundaries.
“It has helped,” he said of his past experience at the stadium. “It’s my first time in New Zealand, and it’s good to have already played a game here to get a feel of the ground. The dimensions of the field are really straight and short, long on the square boundaries, so it’s something to get used to.”
Tuesday, 24 March
New Zealand v South Africa, Eden Park 14:00
