Batting: Left hand batsman
Bowling: Right arm off-break
A hat-trick in South Africa’s dramatic nine-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the Cricket World Cup quarter-final, and a sensational unbeaten 68 to propel the Proteas to a T20-victory against India in India, underlined Jean-Paul Duminy’s excellent 2015-form.
Duminy was a feature in a strong South African Under.19-team alongside AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis in 2003.
He made his ODI debut in 2004, but it took him another three years before he became a more regular face in the national team.
The young Duminy made a sensational impact in test cricket by scoring an unbeaten 50 on test debut to propel the Proteas to 414 for four at the WACA in Perth in 2008.
In his next appearance, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Duminy completed his first test century and added 180 with Dale Steyn for the ninth wicket. His 166 gave South Africa the edge and they ended up winning the test by nine wickets.
Following his dramatic test-honeymoon, Duminy was lured to the Indian Premier League on a whopping $950 000 per year by the Mumbai Indians.
Duminy struggled in the test arena for a while, especially against the off-spinners. The English slow bowler Graeme Swann proved to be a thorn in his flesh temporarily.
The middle-order batsman forced his way back into the test team with a superb century against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington in 2012.
A serious Achilles tendon injury in 2012 dented his international progress for longer than six months.
The stylish left-hander battled back in 2013 and following a good half-century against Pakistan, faded briefly against India.
But the first eight months of 2014 proved to be one of the most prolific of his career. He smashed 123 against Australia at St. George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.
He compiled a workmanlike but invaluable century against Sri Lanka in the first test at Galle to set up a test win for South Africa.
Duminy is not only an exquisite timer of the ball on both sides of the wicket, but also has the ability to caress or bludgeon, depending on the match situation.
He has become a valued member of the South African team in all three formats.
As an off-spinner, Duminy has developed his trade to such a degree that he is no longer considered an occasional spinner. He is perceived to be a man with the golden arm, or differently stated, with the ability to break stubborn partnerships.
The off-spinner took four for 73 against Australia at Newlands in 2014. His career-best One Day International figures are three for 31.
His hat-trick against Sri Lanka put South Africa in the ascendancy, and the Proteas romped to a nine-wicket win.
Duminy is a vital cog in the One Day International team as middle-order batsman. He can hold up an end and rotate the strike, or accelerate the run-rate with splendid square-cuts, majestic drives through the cover, or an aerial straight drive over long-on.
In a T20-series against Australia in November 2014, Duminy took over the mantle as captain from Faf du Plessis.
His average of 38.20 in T20-Internationalsand his average of 39.24 in 129 One Day Internationals of 38.98 underline his value to the limited-format teams of South Africa.
Duminy hammered a magnificent 68 off 34 balls against India in October to guide South Africa to a win in the first T20-match of the series in India. Subsequently, South Africa won the T20-series 2-0.
As fielder in the inner ring, his mobility, anticipation and sharp reaction-speed have added to the South African cause.
