Graeme Smith has valuable advice for David Miller

Graeme Smith has valuable advice for David Miller: Graeme Smith the former South African skipper has expressed his concern on David Miller’s method and ability at the crease after he has failed to score in the past few months. The ex-captain suggests that his technique needs strengthening if he wants to gain back his form. Miller scored his last half-century 10 ODIs ago. Miller’s failure is having an adverse effect on the middle order of the Proteas which is without JP Duminy, who is on a paternity leave.

Smith, being a left-hander detects what could have gone wrong, “Looking at David Miller now, there were a few ways to get him out: lbw, caught behind and with the short ball. He wants to get to a point where he lines himself up a little bit better with his front foot and gets his head to go to the ball and allow himself to play through mid-on and straight,” Smith said while doing an analysis for ‘SuperSport’ during the 2^nd ODI between South Africa and New Zealand.

Miller was dismissed by Doug Bracewell in the last ODI, losing his wicket on 5, leaving his team at 76/4. The reason for his dismissal as analysed by the left-hander Smith, was how his head and front foot did not lay on the same line, which lead to him being off balance and incapable of playing the shot he planned to. Smith showed all of this through a demonstration.

“David technically falls across himself which then causes him problems. You want to get yourself into a position where you are in a press,” Smith explained by demonstrating the position that batsmen use while preparing to face a delivery.

“The only batter I have seen in world cricket who didn’t press was Matthew Hayden. For everyone else, you want to get into a nice strong position where your head and front foot are lined up and you can move them together.”

Smith advised Miller to look at the shots of another southpaw, Rilee  Rossouw who is playing under the same conditions. “Look at Rilee, he sets his front foot nicely so lbw is not an option, his front foot and his head are aligned and they are moving in one direction,” Smith said.

“The new ball is the key factor here,” Smith said. “There are options to get out against the new ball because it’s going to seam, it’s going to swing and in the middle order you don’t often get those situations, you might get pace off the ball but I think if David sets up a little bit more for the swinging ball and gets that front foot into a slightly better position, he can be a better off-side player.”

Smith had pointers on how the coaching team and Miller can train to make the required adjustments, as learning to line up better is not an easy task. “It’s about understanding what you need to do in your net practices, the type of bowlers you are going to be facing, the conditions and you train accordingly. And then it’s about going away and working on the areas of your game you want to work on or building confidence in terms of your shot-making.”

“David is such a crucial part of South Africa’s line-up. You want to grow him to become a better all-round batter for South Africa because a man of his ability could really change games,” Smith said.