Melbourne: Former Australian Test spinner Colin Miller on Tuesday announced his retirement from first-class cricket.
Miller made his Test cricket debut at the age of 34 but called it quits four years later when new Victorian state coach David Hookes made it clear there was no place for him in next season's team. "David and I had a long talk about it," Miller said on Tuesday. "I was pleased because I knew David would either say yes or no to me on whether I was going to play or not. "He wouldn't make me hang around for two or three games a season, which is what happened to me last year." Miller started his first-class career as a medium-pacer with Victoria in 1985-86 and without making much impression on the first-class scene, Miller moved to South Australia in 1988-89 and then to Tasmania four years later. The turning point came when he started dabbling in off-spin. He finally came to the attention of the national selectors when he took a record 67 Sheffield Shield wickets for Tasmania in 1997-98 with a mixture of spin and medium pace. Miller made his Test debut against Pakistan the following season, claiming a wicket with his fifth delivery. "Certainly the last four years exceeded all expectations, from the time I turned 34 it all changed for me for the better," said the 38-year- old Miller. Miller claimed 69 Test wickets at an average of 26.15 with his mixture of off-spin and medium pace and was voted the Australian Test player of the year in 2001. He also took 446 first-class wickets at 30.97.
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Thatsspecials: English summer
Tags: cricket, melbourne, australia, colin miller, victorian state coach david hookes, south australia, tasmania, pakistan.
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