David Miller is hoping his spell as overseas player with Durham last season can help him in his bid to make a flying start to his career with Yorkshire against the North Easterners in tomorrow’s Twenty20 opener at Headingley.

The South African made his first appearance in a White Rose shirt in last night’s warm-up win against Bradford League side Cleckheaton, in which he chipped in with 23 in an imposing score of 242-5.

Andrew Gale smashed a blistering 146 not out against the club he played with as a teenager before the hosts replied with a more than respectable 151-8.

Miller scored only one 50 in his time at the Riverside last summer, ironically against Yorkshire at Scarborough.

He admits to enjoying his time in the North East despite being frustrated at it being interrupted by international commitments.

“It wasn’t ideal because I missed a few games due to playing for South Africa ‘A’. It was back and forth, but I did enjoy it up there,” said the 23-year-old. “The lads were great. Hopefully, it will be a help for me over the next few weeks. I was able to get used to the conditions, which should be the same pretty much anywhere in England.”

After Joe Root made an inventive 40, Miller also added a direct hit run out to his night’s work as Moin Ashraf struck three times, including twice in the 18th over.

Adil Rashid picked up two wickets, but fellow spinner Azeem Rafiq struggled as home batsman Richard Whitehurst took a liking to him during a belligerent 62.

Miller continued: “I’m looking forward to my time at Yorkshire. It’s a nice challenge for me. The move came about around three weeks ago when I was chatting to Jason Gillespie.

“I know Dizzy from the IPL last year. I didn’t play a game for the Kings XI Punjab, but he was bowling coach. I guess that is part of the reason why I’m here.”

Miller will be available for the whole competition, although he would fly home in between the group stages and the quarter-finals due to South Africa ‘A’ commitments.

He has played 16 one-day and half as many Twenty20 internationals for South Africa, although his last 20-over appearance for the Proteas was last October.

And with the Twenty20 World Cup taking place in Sri Lanka in September, he knows his month at Headingley will be crucial if he is to book his seat on the plane.

“Every game is so important, definitely,” said the affable left-hander. “I want to nail down a place in international cricket, and any time I can put a performance in, it can only help my cause.”

Miller batted at number three in the order last night after Gale opened the batting with Australian Phil Jaques.

Yorkshire’s clash with Durham is the first of three North Division clashes in four days for them, with Leicestershire at home on Sunday and Derbyshire away on Monday.