Thoughts On The Last Mile!
Sportstar|June 29, 2019

Having been regarded as a part-time bowler, Jean-Paul Duminy’s off-spin is seen as potentially vital to the balance of the South African team.

Neil Manthorp
Thoughts On The Last Mile!

Six months ago Jean-Paul Duminy faced an agonisingly difficult decision. Continue to push through the pain barrier on the field and hope the right shoulder could keep going until the end of the World Cup — and then have the inevitable surgery? Or have the rotator cuff repaired immediately, miss most of the summer and run the risk of not recovering in time for what he knew would be his ODI swansong.

“It was a calculated gamble either way but, if Iwas going to play at theWorldCup, I wanted it to be as close to 100% fit as possible and not carrying an old injury,” Duminy said.

In the decades when South Africa was blessedwith an endless streamof all rounders— fromHansie Cronje to Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Nicky Boje, Mark Boucher,AndrewHall andmanyothers — Duminy’s inclusion would have been far from certain. But now, having been regarded as a parttime bowler, his off-spin is seen as potentially vital to the balance of the team.

“That might be how it shapes up,” he admitted. “All I can do is be ready to step up, if required. There has been plenty of talk about how the wickets might become quite dry and abrasive as the tournament progresses, so spinners could play a role. If that’s the case then yes, I will be happy to play a more prominent role with the ball.”

Not that Duminy is placing undue pressure or expectation on himself. It’s an attitude captain Faf du Plessis has been encouraging amongst all the squad. ‘Allwe cando is our best,’ he told the squad. ‘If that’s not good enough on the day thenwe canwalk away proud. There are six or seven teams who probably believe they should win it, and they can all beat each other on a given day.’

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 29, 2019-Ausgabe von Sportstar.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 29, 2019-Ausgabe von Sportstar.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS SPORTSTARAlle anzeigen
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Sportstar

Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears

Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.

time-read
1 min  |
March 21, 2020
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
Sportstar

Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT

What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
February 8, 2020
The making of a batting behemoth
Sportstar

The making of a batting behemoth

If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
February 8, 2020
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
Sportstar

WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...

It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
February 8, 2020
A question of recognition
Sportstar

A question of recognition

After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
February 8, 2020
Thinking straight, thinking right!
Sportstar

Thinking straight, thinking right!

“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.

time-read
7 Minuten  |
December 14, 2019
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Sportstar

The Big Three and the Next Gen

Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.

time-read
9 Minuten  |
December 14, 2019
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sportstar

WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH

Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
December 14, 2019
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Sportstar

Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room

Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
December 14, 2019
The league of the masses
Sportstar

The league of the masses

With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
December 14, 2019