JP believes SA need to start well in 3rd ODI
Proteas No.3 batsman, JP Duminy, hasn't come in later than the second over in both matches and admits the build-up of pressure from the early wickets has played a role in the disappointing batting collapses.
"When you lose wickets early upfront you are always trying to catch up in the game from a batting perspective," Duminy explained. "A lot of us, including myself, have got in to 20's and 30's and gone out. When teams are doing well from a bowling perspective, the guys that are in need to take the responsibility to push on to get 80's and 100's. We need to make sure we have our game plans in place and back the skills that we do have. We have done the business in the past; it’s about making sure we back ourselves to do it again."
Hashim Amla’s return brings some stability to the top-order, but it still remains the responsibility of the entire line-up to contribute to the performances on the day.
"That’s always a bonus," he said of Amla's return. "There is no guarantee that he is going to come in and score runs but he has probably given us the best starts in the ODI format. He is up there as the best in the world, it’s great to have him back. He brings a lot of experience to the team and it’s great to have him here, so hopefully he can contribute to our batting performance as well."
Pakistan's bowlers have been ruthless in the low-scoring series, with the spinners proving to be a handful in their home conditions. Duminy says the batsmen need to commit to their strategies and play with intent if they want to counter the attack of Pakistan's spin trio of Saeed Ajmal, Mohammed Hafeez and Shahid Afridi.
"We are in a tight position at the moment," Duminy admitted. "When I say tight I don't mean it’s the end of the world but we haven't had two great performances with the bat and I guess everybody would be thinking that’s our worrying factor at the moment, which is probably true. We have to stand up and be accountable for our performances as a batting unit, we are the first to admit that we haven't been at our best and we have to find ways and means to counter their bowling attack which is arguably one of the best in the world at the moment in ODI's."
Duminy was handed the important first strike position for the tour against Sri Lanka this year, and admits that he hasn't maximised his opportunity, recording only one high score of 97 in seven innings.
"I've been enjoying the challenge," he remarked. "I've always thought that I can give myself the best chance to score big runs at No.3 or four, it’s great that I've been given the opportunity. I've probably performed once out of seven times in that position, I know that’s below par, definitely by my standards. I've set myself high standards to improve that so hopefully it can start on Wednesday."
(File photo:Gallo Images)
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