Duminy's Dream Debut in Test Cricket
The Duminy Factor in the South Africa vs Australia Test Series 2009
Very few players have such a sensational entry into test cricket as the South African J.P.Duminy had in the recent test series against Australia. He was playing against the side ranked number one in the world, in their own backyard. South Africa had never won a test series in Australia - and they first toured the country almost one hundred years ago in 1910-11.
Jean-Paul Duminy's Test Debut
The Cape Coloured had his Test chance owing to an injury to the vice captain Ashwell Prince. In the first test, South Africa were chasing a record target of 414 in the fourth innings. Duminy showed remarkable temperament for a debutant and shared a match winning unbroken century stand with AB de Villiers. He was not overshadowed by his senior partner and finished with hitting the match winning boundary completing his half century in the process- a fairytale ending.
Classic Innings in the Second Test and the record ninth wicket partnership
The second test saw an even more astonishing stuff from the newcomer. In response to Australia’s first innings total of 394, the South Africans were tottering at 251 for 8. A big first innings deficit was feared and an Australian comeback in the series couldn’t have been ruled out. The no 10 batsman joining Duminy was D.Steyn who had never scored a test half century. The pair put on 180 runs in what proved to be a series winning stand with Steyn scoring 76. They broke the ninth wicket patrenership record for the historic MCG which had stood since 1925 and even the world record (195) wan not far away. Duminy was last out after playing one of the most memorable rear guard innings in test history. He stayed for 448 minutes for his 166. It was a very mature performance from a person playing only his second test and was rarely troubled.
Early Days and ODI Debut
JP as he is sometimes called first came into prominence during the South African under-19 tour of England in 2003. He averaged over 72 for the Western Province in the 2003-04 domestic season and his ODI debut came in the South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2004. Unlike his test debut five years later, his entrance into ODI was not an instant success. Though he appeared in five matches but didn’t do much and mostly batted down the order. It took him three years to command a regular spot in the team.
A stylish left-hander whose cover drives are full of grace while his square cuts are packed with power. He is also a good puller of short balls. Now he has developed the capability to finish off a game with an effective final assault .
An excellent fielder who can be placed anywhere in the arena and has a strong arm. Add to it his ability to bowl accurate off spin and all this makes him a very handy player for the limited overs cricket.
However it was diminutive Duminy's calm, calculated and highly productive batting in his first two tests that has drawn attention of all and sundry.
Already expectations are soaring. Is he going to be the next great batsman after the Laras, Tendulkars and Pontings of this world?
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