da brwin： It is a measure of South Africa’s batting strength that JP Duminy wasnot in their starting line-up when the tour began. In a similar waythat Michael Hussey’s first few months of Test cricket leftnon-Australians wondering how on earth he had been overlo
da bet7： Brydon Coverdale at the MCG28-Dec-2008
Brad Haddin and Makhaya Ntini congratulate JP Duminy after he was dismissed for 166 © PA Photos
It is a measure of South Africa’s batting strength that JP Duminy wasnot in their starting line-up when the tour began. In a similar waythat Michael Hussey’s first few months of Test cricket leftnon-Australians wondering how on earth he had been overlooked for solong, Duminy’s initial Tests have prompted the same thoughts fromAustralian cricket followers. How good is your top six when this guycan’t find a place?The same question was asked of Hussey in 2005 and the same answerapplies to Duminy – damn good. When they arrived in Australia, SouthAfrica boasted five of the top 11 run scorers in Tests in 2008. Only when one of those men, Ashwell Prince, cracked his thumb, did Duminyget a look in. If Prince is fit for the third Test in Sydney theselectors will face a tough decision on who to leave out. Duminy mustplay. He believes he won’t.”I probably came out here thinking I wouldn’t play, being that I’vetravelled now for a year without getting a game,” Duminy said. “Butstranger things have happened in life. Ashwell gets hit the day beforethe first Test on the thumb and fractured finger and there I was inthe Test.”It probably will happen [that I will be dropped]. If Ashwell’s fit toplay I’m sure he will play. But I’m just thankful for the opportunity.I’ve got a taste of Test cricket so I’m just looking forward to thenext game.”It’s hard to remember a player who has enjoyed a pair of suchpriceless performances in his first two Tests. His debut effort inPerth was an unbeaten 50 that included striking the winning runs inthe second-highest chase of all time. At the MCG he followed with anincredible 166 that in the space of a day took South Africa from aposition of extreme vulnerability to a point where they can dream ofsecuring a 2-0 victory by Tuesday.That in itself is testament to Duminy’s ability. His 180-runpartnership with Dale Steyn – whose courage in a near four-hour staycannot be underestimated – was the third-highest ninth-wicket stand ofall-time in Tests. It was so unexpected that even the 42,079-strongMCG crowd got behind the pair, despite the consequences for Australia.Duminy said his century at the “colosseum of all grounds” eclipsed hisPerth performance and the support of the spectators must have been afactor.Melbourne fans love to back the underdog – they were captivated by asimilarly surprising 107-run last-wicket stand between Hussey andGlenn McGrath against South Africa three years ago. This time theygave Steyn a standing ovation after he was out for 76 and earlier haddrummed the advertising boards when Duminy was on 99, roaring theirapproval when he reached his hundred even though it was off thehometown hero Peter Siddle.The biggest cheers came from Duminy’s team-mates, who had made theirway down to the boundary to show their appreciation with whooping andclapping. It was the best they could do without running onto theground to shower him with hugs and kisses. That most of his battingcolleagues had failed should not be forgotten.The most noticeable thing about the celebrations was Duminy’scalmness. He kissed his helmet, raised his arms and acknowledged theapplause but not once looked overawed by the moment. Here was a manready to bat on, and whose maturity belied his 24 years. He didexactly that, guiding South Africa to within 20 minutes of stumps on aday when batting until lunch had been an initial lofty goal.His century had come with a back-foot cut for four, typical of hisstrength square of the wicket throughout the innings. He clipped offhis pads superbly, defended patiently and displayed the kind ofprecision placement that marks true class. Australia fielded poorlyand dropped catches but none came off Duminy; he was chanceless untilthe top-edged sweep that ended his innings.Duminy’s other great strength was the faith he showed in hislower-order colleagues Paul Harris, Steyn and Makhaya Ntini, who helped thelast three partnerships add up to 275. Singles were taken to exposeSteyn, who drove down the ground like a proper specialist and foughtthrough two painful blows on his fingers.”He showed a hell of a lot of guts today,” Duminy said of Steyn. “Hegot hit quite a bit but also he played and missed quite a bit, so alot of luck went our way as well. He stuck it out and we kept talkingto each other, trying to motivate each other to stay calm, play themoment, play the ball and it worked out for us today.”The South African tail batted like batsmen, comprehensivelyoutperforming the Australian lower order that so frustrated the coachMickey Arthur on the second day. There are no such concerns for Arthurnow. His biggest worry over the next few days could be working out whoto drop if Prince recovers for Sydney and it is a pleasing problem tohave. It will be a travesty of justice if it’s Duminy who misses out.