ONCE a red cap, now a Redback.
Former Wendouree allrounder Sam Miller will make his Sheffield Shield debut on Monday for South Australia at the Gabba when the Redbacks face the Queensland Bulls.
The 24-year-old, who left Wendouree three years ago to play in the under-23 Futures League with the Australian Capital Territory, has risen quickly through the ranks in South Australia after being talent-spotted while playing in Darwin.
While state cricket has been a long-time goal for Miller, he admits he is stunned by the speed with which he has earned a Sheffield Shield call-up.
“It’s come sooner than I expected,” Miller said yesterday.
“I thought I might have had to score some runs in the grade competition.
“I know I’m from Victoria but it’s been a dream to play Sheffield Shield.
“You think as a kid that Sheffield Shield would be awesome to play.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet.
“It doesn’t sound real.
“I’ve never played at the Gabba before.”
Miller is a right-arm medium-fast bowler and bats left-handed.
He said he expects to be in the South Australian middle order and is also hopeful of bowling in the four-day match as well.
Miller said he is yet to work out all the details of his career with the South Australian state cricket team but is determined to take his chance as part of the Emerging Redbacks squad.
“I haven’t really signed anything yet,” he said.
“The South Australian team was on a training camp in Darwin, and I was playing locally up there.
“They had a look and kept in touch with me.
“I went on a trip with them to Brisbane for a few trial games and managed to get some runs.
“That impressed them, then I did alright in an intra-club trial match and then I got picked.”
gavin.mcgrath@thecourier.com.au
