Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Proteas are looking beyond the Windies
Senior player Duminy bursting with excitement over looming World Cup
IF ONE didn’t know any better, you would think that the series score-line was 3-0 to the tourists, and not the home side. Certainly, the local autograph hunters who arrived at St George’s Park yesterday morning expecting to see the West Indies going through their paces were bemused.
Their morning practice was cancelled, and that, really was that. No explanation, no media engagements, and certainly no evidence to suggest that the last two matches in this series mean any more than the previous three.
The Proteas, meanwhile were back to business yesterday, as they readied themselves for tomorrow’s fourth one- day international in Port Elizabeth.
By rights, if they had taken another day golfing, and beaching and chilling, no one would have batted an eyelid.
But, with this series already secured, they have one eye on what lies ahead.
“I think I’m at the stage now where I’m beyond excited about the World Cup,” senior player JP Duminy explained.
“We are not a team to say a lot of things before an event, but I think we know that we have the capability as a squad to go all the way. I just can’t wait to get there, you know, get under way.”
Duminy is regarded as one of the big manne in the Proteas, both for his ability on the field, as well as his easygoing demeanour off the field.
But, when he looks forward to next month, and the possibility of what may happen, he’s back to being like a kid at Christmas, beaming with expectant pride.
“This is an exciting time for all of us. We know that we have a lot of responsibility, and understand that big performances are needed from us.
“I also think that we have a good mix, with some real experience, and also some guys who are going to their first World Cup.”
Looking at his own role within the team, with bat and ball, he welcomed his latest list of responsibilities. He’s had to adapt a few times, going from number three in Sri Lanka 18 months ago, but now he is back in the middleorder, the engine room that coach Russell Domingo has identified as crucial to success.
“Look, I am always happy to do what is best for the team, so I am very happy to be in that middle-order, coming in after David (Miller) and AB.”
Duminy, with his accurate offspin, also looks increasingly likely to take a frontline role with the ball, sometimes operating as a first change option, particularly on the slower pitches in New Zealand.
“I think, if you look at the makeup of our attack, with three seamers, plus “Fudge” (Ferhaan Behardien) as the fourth seamer, then I will have to take the ball early on.
“It’s a good challenge for me, but I look forward to getting into the game early,” he added.
Duminy, like many of the South African batsmen at practice yester- day, had an extended hit, and took advantage of the middle practice, which saw the bowlers such as Kyle Abbott, Wayne Parnell and Vernon Philander charge in, and the batsmen looked to hit them out the park.
The handful of ticket hopefuls and afternoon strollers who popped in hoping to see a net session were given a treat, as skipper AB de Villiers did his best to hit a few balls into the adjoining Greenwood Primary School, over the bowler’s head, and beyond the roof of the media centre.
Having entertained the mini gallery, De Villiers then took part in the side’s “Reach For A Dream” initiative, handing out some gifts to one lucky youngster.
The smile on the boy’s face was as wide as the chasm between the Proteas and the Windies in this series.
But, as the Proteas and their fans have realised, this series, against a team that has taken in the sights of South Africa, but hardly made a sound, can hardly be used as an accurate yardstick.
In a few weeks’ time, South Africa will be reaching for dreams of their own.
Then, they will know where they stand.