JP Dumniny should focus on being a reliable part-timer Faf du Plessis can call on, not a specialist spinner. Photo: Marty Melville/AFP.
There have been too many false dawns when it comes to JP Duminy and his spin-bowling.
Too many times have Proteas followers been promised he’ll unearth his undoubted talent with the ball and too many times has there been disappointment.
His figures of 4/47 on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand on Thursday should then be celebrated in the right manner.
Also read: Openers fail as the Proteas waste a good advantage
Yes, that spell is his career-best figures but this doesn’t mean Duminy is on the cusp of becoming a full-blooded all-rounder.
He even admitted this doesn’t mean Dane Piedt, the Cape Cobras spinner added to the squad for the final Test, should be overlooked if South Africa want to pick a second frontline tweaker.
All this spell is, is something for Duminy to build on.
To become the man with the golden arm if skipper Faf du Plessis is out of options.
“It’s something that I have been working on for a period of time and unfortunately I haven’t reaped any rewards,” said Duminy.
“But I guess it comes down to opportunities.”
That’s an important point thing to consider.
If the Proteas had plans to make him an all-rounder, Duminy should’ve bowled much more than he’s done.
And has it, anyway, been necessary?
“If you look at recent Test matches, our seam attack coupled with Keshav Maharaj have been doing really well. I’ve been getting an odd over here and there so the opportunities haven’t really been there,” said Duminy.
“When you look at a spinner, it’s got to be a big portion of overs that they have to bowl to get success. Today was one of those days when I got an opportunity to carry on.”
As a result, Duminy – armed with the wisdom of a 32-year-old international cricketer – merely wants to improve, without any grand plans for him.
“Spinners need a lot of overs to take wickets. If you’re going to keep the ball, you need to take a wicket within your first three overs,” he said.
“I was able to do that. But it just want to steadily get better.”
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