JP Duminy opens up on the racial system in South Africa

May 2, 2016 at 3:12 PM

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JP Duminy opens up on the racial system in South Africa

JP Duminy has been a key member of the South African unit for quite a few years now. Over the years, South Africa has been in the news for a wrong and infamous aspect. With selection based on skin colour and racial background playing an active role, several South African cricketers have expressed their displeasure. In a chat with cricket.com.au, Duminy spoke on the racial system, and on his experiences in the IPL.

There is a bit going on in South African cricket at the moment about transformation and inclusion of players of colour. How does it affect the dressing room? 

Duminy: No, I don’t think it affects the players at all. From a managerial point of view, it can have an impact and makes their job difficult. But from a dressing room point of view, the colour of the skin doesn’t matter. When it comes to playing for the national team, we feel that you have been picked on merit for your abilities. There is always going to be politics around various selection issues and it is not just with South Africa. For any team, there will be selection politics. But for us, as players, we don’t get involved with that. Our sole job is to play out there on the field and we focus on that.

Does playing franchise cricket in foreign conditions help in neutralising any home advantage when it comes to international cricket?

Duminy: Yes, I think so. Most international players have now played in the Indian conditions and it has sort of neutralised that advantage in terms of playing here, whether in IPL or on international tours. It is still a great challenge, because conditions differ from place to place here, and you still have to perform in those conditions. From a South African point of view we did well during in the limited-overs here in autumn last year. So you get a lot of confidence out of that.

You have played for different franchises in the IPL and now have settled down with the Delhi Daredevils. How has this experience been? 

Duminy: I have enjoyed it immensely while playing for different teams and the great thing about the IPL is that you build friendships outside your own country. You get to understand the different cultures within one team and that’s been the most rewarding part of being in the IPL, apart from the playing experience in front of packed crowds.

Can you talk about Rahul Dravid’s role as the mentor of the Delhi Daredevils? 

Duminy: It has been a short time but he has been a great help so far. He has had a similar role with Rajasthan Royals and he has a fair share of success with them. He brings a different dimension to our team and the type of character he is, he wears his heart on his sleeve, and he commits a hundred percent to whatever he puts his mind to. That’s what you want from a coach, that he understands his players. I think man management, from a player’s point of view, is very crucial in these types of tournaments. The way he manages us as international players gives us the tools to be successful as a team.

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