ICC World Cup 2019 | The biggest disappointment is the team’s performance, says JP Duminy
Despite featuring in only three of South Africa’s seven games, JP Duminy concedes that the bigger disappointment was the team’s performance as a whole at the World Cup. With just one win so far, South Africa have already been knocked out of the tournament with two games to spare.
After scores of 8, 45, and 3 in South Africa’s opening three games of the World Cup, Duminy was replaced by fellow batsman Aiden Markram in the lineup. Although this will be his final ODI tournament in South African colors, he is yet to be recalled into the playing XI. While conceding that it is unfortunate that he couldn’t end his career on a high, Duminy pointed out that what hurt more was the team’s performance as a whole.
“It’s disappointing, yes (on not being picked). If I’d played three games and we’d made a playoff or fought for the title, I would be in a lot happier position. The most disappointing part has been our team performance, particularly letting all our fans back home,” Duminy said at the pre-match press conference, reported Cricbuzz.
Duminy expressed his and the team’s pain further by apologizing to all the fans of South African cricket, and called for the team - players and management - to take introspective action post the World Cup.
“We want to apologize to the public and South African fans for letting them down. When you represent your country it’s always a proud moment. You understand that you represent 50-60 million people. And when you put in performances like that, in a way we feel ashamed of that,” Duminy said ahead of the Sri Lanka game.
Duminy also added that he didn’t expect to be left out after the first three games having announced his retirement with the World Cup. The left-hander expressed that this had indeed been a bittersweet moment, but admitted his own performances did not warrant selection.
Going into the game against Sri Lanka, Duminy believes that all isn’t lost. Instead of focusing on spoiling their opponents' chances to qualify for the semis, Duminy emphasized that South Africa would first and foremost try to put in a strong performance themselves.
“I think the important mission of ours is to play good cricket, the brand of cricket that we know we are capable of playing. I think if we do that particularly tomorrow (against Sri Lanka), and against Australia later, we give ourselves the best chance of beating them. The important thing is to look introspectively and put in a big performance,” Duminy added.
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