INLSA

Cape Cobras star JP Duminy says he has had a good preparation week ahead of today's SuperSport Series clash against the Knights at Newlands. Photo: Matthew Jordaan

Ashfak Mohamed

JP DUMINY’S push for a place in the Proteas Test side will start today when he turns out for the Cape Cobras in a SuperSport Series clash against the Knights at Newlands (10am start).

The classy left-hander will hope to convert a solid start into a big score for the Cobras after being on the receiving end of some poor umpiring decisions in the four-day arena this season.

Two particular lbw decisions – against the Lions and Warriors – come to mind, as Duminy was on 63 and 62 respectively.

He needs to score big hundreds in first-class cricket to push for a spot in the Proteas Test side on the upcoming tour of New Zealand, especially as the man who batted at No 6 in the final Sri Lanka Test, Jacques Rudolph, has not been convincing in his return to Test cricket this summer. Rudolph did score a half-century in his last Test innings at Newlands, though.

But the 27-year-old Duminy won’t allow the situation in the Test team to affect his focus for today’s clash. “You know what, I’m not really worried about that,” he told the Cape Times yesterday. “If it happens, it happens. I just want to go into the game aiming to do well and put in a good performance, hoping that the team can pull off a victory. That is the main objective.

“If that comes off, it obviously stands me in good stead for the Test side. But that’s out of my control, so I’ve just started to focus on my performances. I feel like I’m hitting the ball nicely, and the practice sessions have gone well this week. I can’t complain, the prep has gone well, and I just need to put in the performance now.”

Duminy will jet off to New Zealand with the Proteas next week for a series of T20 and one-day internationals, as well as three Tests, and will look to cash in against a rather mediocre Knights bowling attack.

Only former Cobras paceman Quinton Friend and ex-international Johann van der Wath are expected to provide any difficulty to the home side’s batting line-up. “I am eager to get runs on the board,” Duminy said. “It is probably my one proper game before I leave, so I am hoping that the weekend goes well and that I can get a bit of confidence behind me going into the New Zealand tour.”

Justin Ontong has been the Cobras’ leading batsman this season, and will want to continue his good run before the New Zealand ODI series.

Cobras coach Richard Pybus was also able to recall Proteas Test star Vernon Philander to the side after he sat out the two-wicket defeat to the Titans last week with an ankle injury. But Rory Kleinveldt is still not over his side strain.

Veteran seamer Charl Langeveldt has been replaced by 23-year-old newcomer Johann Bothma, who forced his way into the side with a 10-wicket match-haul for Western Province in a three-day match against Gauteng last week.

Opener Yaseen Vallie has also been left out, with Richard Levi a likely partner to Andrew Puttick at the top of the order.

The Cobras are embroiled in a race to defend their title with the Titans leading the log on 102.82 points, compared to the Cobras’ 101.42.

“The title battle will be in the back of our minds,” said Duminy. “The Titans are on top, but that is out of our control. If we win these last two games, we will be there and thereabouts.”