JP Duminy tried to look at the positive side of things when talking about his side’s seven-wicket defeat to Australia in the second T20I in Melbourne on Friday.
‘We were outplayed in all forms today, there’s a lot of learning,’ said the South African captain.
‘We know we need to come up with something to come back on Sunday. These things are good for youngsters, winning and losing, so we need to take a lot out of today.
‘I was happy batting first but they blew us a way. Every time we started building partnership they took wickets, so it was difficult for us.’
The Australian captain, Aaron Finch, secured his first win as captain on home soil. He offered a few possible reasons for his side’s turnaround in fortunes.
‘It’s a special place to play cricket at any time, especially representing Australia,’ said finch during the post-match presentation.
‘I stayed at home last night, didn’t say anything [to the players], so that might have been it. The bowlers were outstanding, blew them away, the MCG isn’t known for spinning so Cameron Boyce deserved his award. We bowled the off-spinner to their left-handers, just trying something out. Nice to get some runs and a bit of red ink [not out].’
Cameron Boyce, the man mentioned by his captain, was understandably over the moon with his man of the match award.
‘When you get a wrap from Warnie, that’s nice,’ said the young leg-spinner.
‘The other boys bowled really well, Paddy and Jimmy Faulkner, that makes my job a bit easier.’
Boyce was also asked about his ambitions of playing ODI cricket. It’s the format that everyone is thinking about with the World Cup around the corner, but he said that he just wants to take things one game at a time.
‘I won’t get too far ahead of myself, try and bowl well every game and hopefully that stuff [ODI selection] will take care of itself. I’m looking forward to Sydney, the series on the line, both teams out to win.’
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