Miller targets 2027 ODI World Cup glory on home soil

South Africa batter seeks a late-career ICC title

David Miller has set his sights on helping South Africa win the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2027, with the tournament’s home-soil setting adding extra motivation as he approaches the latter stages of his international career.

Miller has been a key member of South Africa’s white-ball teams for more than a decade, making his international debut in 2010. Despite his longevity and success in limited-overs cricket, the left-hander is yet to win a major senior men’s ICC title with the Proteas.

South Africa came close at the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, reaching the final before losing to India. The result extended the Proteas’ wait for a major men’s ICC trophy, although the team ended that drought in Test cricket by winning the inaugural World Test Championship final in 2025.

The 2027 ODI World Cup represents another opportunity, with South Africa set to co-host the tournament alongside Zimbabwe and Namibia.

“I am really looking forward to it,” Miller told JioStar. “For me, it’s a goal that I want to achieve. I would love to finish off late in my career with a trophy.”

Miller, who has played at the 2015, 2019 and 2023 editions of the ODI World Cup, knows his place in the 2027 squad is far from guaranteed. With the tournament still more than a year away, he said his priority is to earn selection and contribute consistently.

“It’s something that is never guaranteed, and I’ll definitely, from now until then, be focused on aiming to make that team and to contribute the best I can,” he said.

The 2027 tournament will mark the first time South Africa hosts a senior men’s ICC event since Miller made his international debut. It will also be the country’s first involvement as a co-host of the 50-over World Cup since the 2003 edition, when Australia won the title.

For Miller, the prospect of playing a World Cup in front of South African supporters would make the occasion particularly significant.

“Obviously, it will be very special, being at home in front of our fans, and in a place that I’ve played for so many years,” he said.

Miller already has two ODI World Cup centuries. He scored his first against Zimbabwe in Hamilton during the 2015 tournament and produced another against eventual champions Australia at Eden Gardens in 2023.

With more than 300 international appearances for South Africa, Miller said his ability to finish innings from the middle order remains the aspect of his career of which he is most proud.

“Probably the fact that I’ve made a career by batting in the middle order and finishing games, that would be something I’m most proud of,” he said.

At 36, Miller remains focused on extending his international career long enough to compete for a World Cup title on home soil — a prize that would add a defining achievement to his long career.