Duminy pleased with Test preparation time

Proteas middle-order batsman JP Duminy is pleased with the amount of time afforded his team to prepare for the first Test against Australia at the WACA.
The stylish left-hander would also cast his mind back to 2008 when he made his first Test century against Australia at the MCG.
Duminy has asserted that he will be taking a lot of confidence into this tour but not because Australia appear to be struggling.
The 32-year-old said: “I was a young kid then. It was my debut Test and playing against guys like Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden was quite intimidating.
“The difference for me now, I am more established than I was then.
“So you’re coming into a Test series like this with a little bit more confidence, a little bit more stability in your role in the team and how you play Test cricket.
“I think that is the difference. It’s not necessarily the opposition.”
Duminy is delighted with the amount of time the Proteas have to settle in down under and feels it will stand them in good stead going forward in the series.
Speaking ahead of a pink-ball practice match against a Cricket Australia XI at Adelaide Oval, Duminy said: “I can’t recall this amount of time before a Test on any tour. This is the best preparation we will have.”
The southpaw debuted against Australia at the WACA eight years ago and will be hoping to replicate the result from that match where South Africa chased down 414 to win by six wickets.
Duminy reflected on that match: “That first Test win we had against Australia was definitely a fond moment and it would be nice to repeat that.
“We are coming into the series with a bit of confidence obviously on the back of our one-day series.
“But we understand that it’s a clean slate. This is Test cricket. It’s totally different from one-day cricket.”
Latest
-
News
Lancashire sign New Zealand pair Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme
The all-rounders will be available to play in the LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality T20 Blast throughout the season.
-
England
Jos Buttler admits he needs to find his rhythm as England lose to South Africa
The hosts won the second ODI by five wickets to clinch the series in Bloemfontein.
-
South Africa
Temba Bavuma hits hundred as South Africa secure ODI series win over England
The Proteas chased down 343 at Bloemfontein to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.
-
England
Jos Buttler and Harry Brook give England hope of levelling ODI series
England reached 342 for seven against South Africa, with Buttler making 94 and Brook 80.
-
England
Jason Roy was never ready to ‘roll over’ despite year of setbacks and low points
Roy has for so long been England’s pacesetter at the top of the order but lost his place in the side.
-
England
England batter Jason Roy emotional after return to form in South Africa defeat
Roy’s slump with the bat led to him being dropped ahead of England’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign last year.
-
England
Jofra Archer will ‘get better and better’ but England batting needs more bite
Archer took one for 81 on a hot and sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein.
-
England
England beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century
Roy scored 113 off just 91 balls but South Africa ran out winners by 27 runs.
-
Women's Cricket
England reach Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup final after winning thriller
With Australia 96 for nine chasing 100, the England captain trapped Maggie Clark lbw to send her side through to face India in the final.
-
England
Jofra Archer toils for little reward as South Africa set England 299 to win ODI
Archer believes he is at about “80 per cent” fitness so some rust was inevitable.