JP Duminy retires from Test and first-class cricket with immediate effect

South African all-rounder JP Duminy has decided to call it time on his Test and first-class career. The Cape Town lad made 46 Test appearances for the Proteas along with 108 first-class games. Though he has retired from the longer formats with immediate effect, Duminy wishes to continue playing limited-overs cricket.

He made the decision after thinking about it through, he said that it was a privilege to represent the teams in the long form. JP also believes that his playing career is far from over, he hopes Cricket South Africa (CSA) and his domestic team Cape Cobras will back him to continue in the coloured clothing for a few more years.

“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,” Duminy said speaking exclusively to Independent Media.

Enjoyed my Test career

“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,” he added.

Having made his Test debut 11 years ago against Australia, Duminy scored 2103 runs with six hundred and eight half centuries. He has 6774 runs to his name in first-class cricket complemented by 20 centuries and 30 fifties at an average of 46.

The last few Test matches and first-class games that he played didn’t quite pan out the way either he or the team would’ve liked. He was picked for just the first Test against England in the recently concluded series and his contribution in the Lord’s Test was 15 and 2 in respective innings. Due to a collective failure and inability of the senior players to deliver South Africa lost the first Test series in England since 1998.

Duminy wishes to continue his 50-over and T20 career; he will be seen leading the Cape Town Knight Riders in the inaugural T20 Global League later this year.