Miller surprised at Windies ODI call-up
West Indies newest selectee, Nikita Miller, the left arm spinner from Jamaica said that he was not expecting to be called up this late in the Digicel One Day International Series."I wasn't really expecting it for the rest of the series, it came as a surprise but all in all I'm happy," Miller said shortly after his first practice session with the West Indies squad at Warner Park in Basseterre.
The 26 year old said that he was looking forward to a call from the selectors earlier in the season after he had a good season in Carib Beer cricket but that call did not come until now.
"I was looking out for it because I had a good season so I always kept my mind in tune for that call so that I wont be surprised, I was disappointed (when I was not called up earlier) but now that I got the chance I have to take it with both hands," said Miller who picked up 42 wickets in the regional first class season.
Trinidadian off spinner Amit Jaggernauth and Barbadian left arm spinner Sulieman Benn were selected in the West Indies squad previously but after his debut Test in Jamaica Jaggernauth was dropped and after the first three Digicel ODIs Benn was similarly cut from the squad. The West Indies trail 3-0 in the five match Digicel ODI Series against Australia after the opening encounter in St Vincent followed by two Digicel ODIs in Grenada.
Miller said that he has not played any cricket since the end of the Carib Beer season but he has been trying to keep fresh by bowling in the nets.
"I was preparing for the local one day series (in Jamaica), I've been doing a bit of practice at the club I play for, Melbourne," Miller said.
He said he does not think this will be a major setback though as he believes in his skills.
"I have to believe in my skills, I've been able to do well at the regional level and all I have to do is believe in myself, I know I can do a good job," said the uncapped Miller.
Asked about his overall preparedness for international cricket Miller said he was pleased.
"I'm pretty happy. I don't think my bowling can fall off in a month or so," he reasoned.
Miller was brought into the West Indies ODI squad along with his uncapped countryman Shawn Findlay along with rookie Barbadian fast bowler Kemar Roach who appeared in one international Twenty20 for the West Indies against Australia prior to the start of the Digicel ODI Series.
Benn, wicketkeeper Patrick Browne, hard hitting batsman Kieron Pollard and injured fast bowler Jerome Taylor were not named in the squad for the final two Digicel ODIs in St Kitts.