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JP Duminy retires from Test, First-Class cricket

JP Duminy will continue to play limited-overs cricket for South Africa and Cape Cobras. He will also be leading Cape Town Knight Riders in the upcoming T20 Global League.

JP Duminy © Getty Images
JP Duminy © Getty Images

South Africa’s JP Duminy will no more be seen in whites as the southpaw has decided to bid adieu to Test and First-Class cricket. Making his debut in 2008, Duminy has been one of the senior players in side since AB de Villiers absence from the longest format off late. However, he witnessed an all-time low in his Test form against England and New Zealand where he has been unable to go past the 20-run mark. After his 141 against Australia in Perth last year, Duminy was in fine form against Sri Lanka as well at home when he struck 155 at Johannesberg earlier this year.

His maiden series Down Under was Duminy’s career highlight where he struck an unbeaten half-century on debut at the WACA in Perth, following it up with 166 in the second Test at the MCG in 2008-09.

Speaking to the Independent Media about his future plans, Duminy said, “I certainly know that my playing career is far from over, and my hope is that with the backing of Cricket South Africa, the WSB Cape Cobras, teammates, family, friends and supporters, I will be given the opportunity to continue to give my very best to the sport that I love dearly. But after a long and careful deliberation, I have decided to retire from First-Class and Test-match cricket with immediate effect. I have thoroughly enjoyed the privilege and opportunity to represent my country in 46 Tests and the Cape Cobras in 108 first-class matches over the last 16 years.”

Faf Du Plessis has time and again felt Duminy’s place in the Test side is under question considering his recent form. Duminy was also released from the squad ahead of the last two England Tests. Duminy had been dropped for the second Test at Trent Bridge, which South Africa won by 340 runs to square the series, after managing only 17 runs across two innings in the first at Lord’s.

Investment on 2014 U-19 World Cup winner and South Africa A skipper Aiden Markram and Theunis de Bruyn, already showed signs of Duminy’s Test career under threat.

Duminy’s illustrious nine-year Test career ends with tally of 2,103 runs at 32.85 off 46 matches. He has also claimed 42 wickets off these matches at an economy rate of 3.55.  Off the 19 Test matches he has played at home, Duminy has piled up 963 runs at 32.10 while he holds 20 wickets at home at economy rate of 3.49.

However, the classy southpaw will continue to play for limited-overs cricket for South Africa as well as Cape Cobras. He will also be seen leading Shah Rukh Khan’s Cape Town Knight Riders in the upcoming T20 Global League.

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