Australian Story: Keith Miller
Shane Warne will introduce the second part of a profile on WW2 pilot turned legendary ‘Invincibles’ cricketer, Keith Miller.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under Programming
Shane Warne will introduce the second part of an Australian Story profile on WW2 pilot turned legendary ‘Invincibles’ cricketer, Keith Miller.
On Monday night the ABC show looks at Miller’s life, as seen through the eyes of his family and close friends including Michael Parkinson and Ian Chappell.
For the first time, three sons reveal their battles with heroin addiction and recount the trials of Keith’s controversial final years, describing a surprising new love that rocked the family and tested the allegiance of his closest friends.
“To me he was the whole package. In sport you need characters and Keith Miller was definitely a character. He was an entertainer, he was before his time,” said Warne.
“He gave me some advice ‐ just play cricket and don’t worry about what anyone said.”
Michael Parkinson, who introduced the fist episode said, “The great thing about Keith was that he was devil‐ may‐care. Because he’d been in the war Keith Miller had a barometer of existence.”
“[Iin his final years] He did irresistibly remind me of a ruin, a great noble ruin.”
Australian Story airs 8pm Monday on ABC1.
Share
- Tagged with Australian Story
4 Responses
I’d really like a little more info on Marie Miller. It said that she’s since died. How? Did she have any previous children. They say she was buried next to Keith. How old was she when she died.?
I had never heard of Keith Miller. I am slightly swayed by Parkie who is a good judge of horseflesh. If Parkie says he is OK; he probably is, but the snubbing of a loyal wife for another partner so late in life and the ostracising of his sons is hard to take.
I am also mindful of the comments made by Tony. Shane Warne is ‘no copy’ as my mother used to say.
Once again we overlook the flaws in Keith Miller’s character because he was able to play a sport. His son’s comments in which he refers to his father’s second wife Marie as “that thing” demonstrates that he is in denial as to who really betrayed his mother Peg. It wasn’t Marie but his father the great Keith Miller.
Unfortunately, Miller must have inspired Warney both on and off the field. Miller was just another arrogant cricketer carried away by their own talent, fooling themselves into believing it provides an excuse for the worst possible behaviour.