David Miller Creates History; Becomes First Player In The World To…
David Miller etched his name in the history books during the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand by leading a lone fight for the Proteas at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday (March 5) as the Black Caps sealed a place in the summit clash, where they will face India on Sunday (March 9) at the Dubai International Stadium.Chasing a total of 363, South Africa made a positive start despite Ryan Rickleton’s early departure.
Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma and Rassie van Der Dussen put up a 105-run partnership for the second wicket with both players scoring half-centuries. However, Mitchell Santner spun a web around the Proteas batting unit to dismiss both batters as well as danger man Heinrich Klaasen. While the target went out of South Africa’s reach, Miller walked out at number six and made it a night to remember for the small crowd present in Lahore. The South African star reached the milestone on the last ball of the innings as New Zealand completed a 50-run win. The 35-year-old’s innings included 10 boundaries and four sixes.
David Miller Creates History Despite South Africa’s Heartbreak
Miller reached the ton in 67 balls and smashed the quickest century in the history of the Champions Trophy. He is the first player to achieve the milestone in the history of the competition in less than 70 balls. The record belonged to Virender Sehwag for 23 years, who smashed a 77-ball ton against England at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo in 2002. Earlier this year, Josh Inglis had equalled the record with this match-winning effort against England. Fastest Century in Champions Trophy History
Player Team Balls To Century Opponent Venue Year
David Miller South Africa 67 New Zealand Lahore 2025
Virender Sehwag India 77 England Colombo 2002
Josh Inglis Australia 77 England Lahore 2025
Shikhar Dhawan South Africa 80 South Africa Cardiff 2013
Tilakaratene Dilshan Sri Lanka 87 South Africa Centurion 2009
Miller has now also become first South African player in history to hit two tons in knockout matches of International Cricket Council (ICC) events after reaching the three-figure mark against Australia at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens in 2023 World Cup semi-final. Before him, Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis were the only Proteas players to achieve the rare feat.Miller is only the seventh player after Sourav Ganguly, Saeed Anwar, Ricky Ponting, Mahela Jayawardene, Shane Watson, and Rohit Sharma to hit multiple tons in knockout matches of ICC events. Ganguly, Anwar, and Pointing have made three tons each while the others including Miller have two three-figure scores.Miller has become the first player to hit multiple tons in a knockout match of an ICC event in a losing cause. Previously, 11 players had scored one ton when their team were knocked out of either the ODI World Cup or Champions Trophy but Miller is the first to achieve the feat twice. The South African star had become the first player in history to score a century in a knockout match of an ICC event from number six or below in the 2023 World Cup semi-final. He continues to remain the only player to achieve the feat having done it twice now.Miller (35 years, 268 days) is the second oldest player after Ponting (36 years, 95 days) to hit a century in a knockout match of an ICC event. The ex-Australian captain set the record n the 2011 Cricket World Cup quarter-final against India at Ahmedabad, which was also in a losing cause. Adam Gilchrist (35 years, 168 days) is the oldest player to score a century in a knockout match of an ICC tournament with his famous century against Sri Lanka in the 2007 Cricket World Cup final in Barbados.
