JP Duminy says the Proteas’ senior batsmen must execute their game plans more effectively to win the second T20I on Wednesday.
‘Game plans’ and ‘execution’ – words uttered by the Proteas after every match they lose. The Proteas have batted poorly and it’s the senior players who have once again failed. Duminy scored 3, David Miller 9 and Chris Morris scored a duck, resulting in a 28-run defeat.
ALSO READ: Dhawan, Kumar punish Proteas
The aim of the rotation policy for the World Cup was to give the inexperienced guys a chance, so they can learn from the experienced players around them.
As a result, the new additions have outshone the old-timers, exposing the issues in the side. How do new players learn from senior players who implement the game plans incorrectly?
‘Everyone is different,’ said Duminy when asked to specify the team’s batting game plan. ‘According to the bowler you are facing, everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Everybody is going to back their strengths. There are times where your strength will get you out, especially in this format.
‘There is going to be times when you go through slumps, and a lot of us [senior guys] are finding ourselves in that at the same time. The way India have played and dominated us throughout the series, a lot of their senior players have stepped up and put in those big performances.’
It was another inexperienced player who shone for the Proteas. Reeza Hendricks (70) kept the Proteas’ innings together by scoring his maiden half-century in his 10th T20I.
He played with freedom and confidence, which comes off a successful domestic season. Heinrich Klaasen (43 not out) performed similarly well in the Pink ODI at the Wanderers to see the Proteas over the line.
Duminy spoke about what the senior players can learn from the newer guys’ approach.
‘Just to be free, play your game and stick to your game plans. At the end of the day, everyone has a particular game plan and it’s either going to come off or it’s not,’ said Duminy.
‘You’re going to go through periods in your career where you go through slumps – be it as a senior or new player – and unfortunately, throughout the series quite a few senior players have come up short, including me.
‘It has been a dismal ODI series and obviously today as well. We have to find a way to get up on our feet and fire again on Wednesday. That’s all you can do at this level. There isn’t any place to hide.’
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images