Duminy calls time on Test career
Johannesburg, South Africa – South African J P Duminy retired from Test cricket on Saturday. Duminy played 46 Tests from December 2008 to July 2017, scored six centuries, bowled occasional off-spin to claim 42 wickets and finished with a batting average of 32.85.
He was dropped from the starting XI after the Lord's Test in July - the first of a four-match series - sent home from the tour after the second match and opted out of the opening round of first-class matches, which starts on Tuesday, heightening speculation his long-form career was over.
On Saturday, Duminy released a statement confirming his intention to focus on limited-overs cricket in future.
"After long and careful deliberation, I have decided to retire from first-class and Test match cricket with immediate effect. I have thoroughly enjoyed the privilege and opportunity to represent my country in 46 Tests and the Cape Cobras in 108 first-class matches overs the past 16 years. It is an experience that cannot be replaced and one I will always cherish. Test cricket has always been the pinnacle and I've been fortunate enough to experience some memorable highlights with the Proteas and also in first-class matches with the Cape Cobras.
"In recent years I have been privileged to be a senior member and custodian of a special team environment and culture which has made me very proud," Duminy's statement read. "In the years ahead, my focus will be placed on attaining limited-overs cricket success for South Africa and the Cape Cobras, along with attending to my young family, who have been incredibly supportive and understanding."
Duminy will likely be best remembered for the impact he made in his maiden Test series against Australia in 2008. On debut in Perth, Duminy struck an unbeaten half-century and was involved in an unbroken 111-run stand for the fifth wicket with A B de Villiers to help South Africa run down a target of 414 - the second-highest successful run-chase in Test cricket. In the next match, the Boxing Day Test, he made 166 - his highest in Tests - to carry South Africa from 251 for eight to 459 and on their way to a series victory.