David Miller has quit red-ball cricket to focus on the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales.

The hard-hitting 29-year-old said he wanted to concentrate on “the format that I love”.

“It was a tough decision to make,” Miller said. “I have always loved playing red-ball cricket but I have decided that I would, in future, like to concentrate on white-ball cricket to make sure that I am in a position to give myself the best opportunity to play for the Proteas in the format that I love.

“This is an important decision for me, especially with the World Cup looming next year,” he said. “I will also be available to play for the Dolphins in all limited-overs competitions and will give it my all to help them win trophies this season.”

David Miller, 49 vs New Zealand David Miller, 49 vs New Zealand

Cricket South Africa Chief Executive Thabang Moroe said: “It is disappointing to lose David from our pool of potential Test players. At the age of 29 he still has many years of good cricket left in him in all formats, but at the same time we have to understand that he wants to throw his full weight into helping the Proteas win the ICC World Cup.

“He has time on his hands to resume his first-class career in due course and I sincerely hope that we have not seen the last of him in red-ball cricket where he has shown his undeniable talents in the past.”