Johannesburg – Proteas middle-order batsman JP Duminy is optimistic of making a resurgent comeback, following surgery to his left Achilles' tendon which will keep him on the sidelines for at least four months.
Duminy picked up the injury during South Africa's warm-down session after the opening day of the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on Friday.
“I'm still quite young. I still have a long career ahead of me,” Duminy said on Monday.
“I'm quite positive about these types of things. Over the next four to six months it's about me putting in the hard work again and making sure I come back to full strength.
“I feel the last three to six months have been a good part of my career and hopefully on my return I can follow up on that.”
The setback was a disappointment for Duminy, who had slotted into the number seven role in the Test line-up after Mark Boucher's retirement in July. He averaged 90.33 in five Tests this year, with a century against New Zealand in March.
Duminy had a remarkable start to his Test career with a century in his second match against Australia in December 2008, after scoring a half-century and the winning runs on debut.
He encouraged uncapped batsmen Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar, who was called up as Duminy's replacement, to make full use of his absence from the national squad.
“They must take the opportunity with both hands,” Duminy said.
“These sorts of opportunities don't come around often and you have to make the most of them.
“They are both quality players, they have proven themselves on the domestic scene so they definitely deserve their position.”– Sapa