(SportsMax) Former Jamaica and West Indies spinner Nikita Miller is embracing a significant milestone in his coaching career, having been appointed assistant coach for the regional side’s two-match Test tour of Pakistan.
The series, scheduled for January 17–29, at the Multan Cricket Stadium, marks the West Indies’ first Test tour in Pakistan in 18 years and the final chapter of the two-year World Test Championship cycle.
Miller, who replaces unavailable fielding coach Rayon Griffith, brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the game to the Andre Coley-led coaching staff. In fact, his role on the subcontinent is particularly pivotal, especially given the conditions that traditionally favour spinners. Though his appointment might be short-term, Miller welcomed the opportunity as he reflected on the path that led him to this moment.
“I was the assistant coach for Andre Coley when he was the head coach for the Jamaica Scorpions, and I’ve worked with Cricket West Indies in different camps over the years as a specialist spin bowling coach. Recently, I did the Bangladesh tour where I was the head coach for the tour game against them—the two-day game in Antigua—and when the senior team came to Jamaica, I went there to help out with the spinners,” Miller told SportsMax.Tv.
“Seeing that we’re coming to the subcontinent, and spinners might play a big role in these parts, they asked me to come and assist the team. So it’s not necessarily a long-term role; I’m here for this tour, and I’m just here to give my best to the team, and hopefully my best can be of significant help to the spinners more so,” he added.
Miller, 42, has held various coaching positions since his retirement in 2019, including assistant to Andrew Richardson with the Jamaica Scorpions before his contract ended in September last year.
Miller, a lethal left-arm spinner during his heyday, is currently the lead pathways coach with the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) and has been a part of the Trinbago Knight Riders coaching staff for several years.
As such, this appointment at the international level represents a new chapter in Miller’s cricketing journey—one that fills him with pride.
“It is for me a milestone on my coaching journey. I’ve represented the West Indies as a player, and to represent them as a coach is a big step. I’m proud of this moment as well. Hopefully, my contribution to the team will be an asset and a good thing for the bowlers,” Miller shared.
Having coached for over six years and worked with many of the current players in camps and franchise teams, Miller is confident in his ability to integrate seamlessly into the environment.
“It’s really not that difficult to kind of integrate and be comfortable at this level. Having played at this level as well is also a plus. It helps you to integrate into this team or this environment,” he noted. Miller’s coaching philosophy emphasizes understanding one’s strengths and preparing meticulously to succeed on game day.
“My biggest encouragement for the players is to take some time to understand your game, work out your strengths, and focus on what you do best. While you’re working on your skills, identify your strengths, because once you’ve identified those, everything else becomes much easier. Then you go in, practice, and work at them very hard so that when it’s game day, you can express yourself and enjoy the moment,” Miller explained.
That said, Miller’s ambition is simple yet powerful—to help the team stay grounded and perform at their best.
“My overall ambition for this team is not to look too far ahead. It’s just to try and win the series. Start from Test number one, game number one, lock in, and try to be positive. Enjoy the moment, go out in the middle, express yourself, and win the game for the West Indies. That’s pretty much it, really,” he ended.