JP Duminy shocks by ditching the Proteas in Test cricket
The left-hander will still be available to play one-dayers for the national side but he leaves them with a transformation headache.
JP Duminy’s won’t play in whites anymore. Photo: Kieran Galvin/NurPhoto.
JP Duminy has rocked the boat by announcing he won’t play a red-ball cricket anymore.
In an official statement, the mercurial Proteas left-hander revealed he has decided to retire from Test cricket and, in fact, red-ball cricket as a whole.
“After a long and careful deliberation, I have decided to retire from first-class and Test-match cricket with immediate effect,” the 33-year-old said.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the privilege and opportunity to represent my country in 46 Tests and the Cape Cobras in 108 first-class matches over the last 16 years.”
Duminy will still be available to play one-day cricket for the Proteas, with the obvious aim of helping the side win the 2019 World Cup.
He has, strangely for a man of his talent, never fulfilled his potential as a Test player and will end with a lowly average of 32.85.
“I certainly know that my playing career is far from over, and my hope is that with the backing of Cricket South Africa, the Cape Cobras, teammates, family, friends and supporters, I will be given the opportunity to continue to give my very best to the sport that I love dearly,” said Duminy.
But his unavailability will be a headache in Test cricket in terms of transformation requirements.
Despite AB de Villiers deciding to play in the format again, he can’t necessarily be considered Duminy’s direct replacement.
The Proteas will probably need another non-white player to balance out it’s average representation over the season.
