Duminy still has the appetite for Test cricket

Proteas No 4 batsman JP Duminy pulls the ball to the leg-side against New Zealand at Centurion on Saturday. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky, BackpagePix

Proteas No 4 batsman JP Duminy pulls the ball to the leg-side against New Zealand at Centurion on Saturday. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky, BackpagePix

Published Aug 27, 2016

Share

JP Duminy walked in to bat at Centurion on Saturday with his Test place on the line, and with the Proteas having lost both their openers in quick succession.

South Africa were handily placed on 151/2 in the 46th over of the second Test against New Zealand when Stephen Cook (56) followed Quinton de Kock (82) into the change room, but the double strike provided the Black Caps with an opening after they toiled without any luck up to that point.

It was a tricky period before tea, and with the Kiwis’ tails up, they continued with their bouncer-filled approach to Duminy after getting rid of De Kock in that fashion.

The left-handed Duminy and Amla – who had an lbw decision against him overturned on review – got through to the tea interval without any further scares.

But while Amla is the Proteas’ premier batsman at the moment and raced to his 31st half-century off 75 balls – including a terrific upper-cut for six over third man off Tim Southee – Duminy was playing for his Test career and needed to produce a substantial score to stay in the team.

He went about his business methodically, accumulating runs when available, but once his eye was in, he pulled off some of his typically pleasant drives through the offside and a few flicks off the pads.

Duminy had his fair share of luck too – short leg was unable to hold on to a tough chance, while he also had to utilise a TV review to stay at the crease when on 44 when he was given out lbw to Doug Bracewell. The replays showed that the ball pitched outside the leg-stump and the decision was overturned.

Just before that, Amla had to go for a sparkling 58 off 91 balls (9x4, 1x6) when Neil Wagner got one to hold up on the pitch and find the edge of the bat, with wicket-keeper BJ Watling taking the catch behind to end a 95-run partnership for the third wicket.

That heaped even more pressure on to Duminy as he was joined by another out-of-form batsman in stand-in captain Faf du Plessis.

Bracewell especially bowled with real pace and found a good length on a slow pitch, but Duminy managed to reach his 50 off the right-armer in style when he stroked the ball through mid-off to bring up his first Test half-century in two years, and just the seventh of his career in his 36th game.

It was an emotional moment for the Capetonian, who embraced his skipper, but he knew that the job wasn’t done yet.

Duminy stayed in a positive frame of mind through to the close, and while Du Plessis (13 not out off 58 balls, 2x4) had some nervy moments, the fourth-wicket pair got to the close without any further damage, with the Proteas finishing the day on 283/3 off 88 overs.

Duminy’s unbeaten 67 (122 balls, 10x4) proved that he still has the appetite to play in the longest format at the highest level, and it was a welcome return to form.

Now with the hard work done, the 32-year-old needs to push on and get three figures on Sunday to cement his spot for the rest of the season and relieve some of the pressure, and give him the chance to fulfil his immense talent in the five-day arena.

[email protected]

@ashfakmohamed

Related Topics: