IRE vs SA | Twitter nostalgic as JP Duminy showcases trademark agility upon return to Proteas colours

10/07/2024

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Class may be permanent but fitness never is and age catches up with even the seemingly immortal sooner or later. At least JP Duminy does not have to worry about it for the foreseeable future as he proved in Abu Dhabi on Friday with an electric contribution upon being employed as a fielding sub.

A‌ late collapse saw Ireland be restricted to 284/9 in the third and final ODI against South Africa at Zayed Cricket Stadium despite a commanding opening stand of 101. Paul Stirling top-scored for the Irish with a 92-ball 88 while Lizaad Williams dealt the most damage with the ball, scalping four wickets. The right-arm quick particularly lit up the contest in the dying stages of Ireland's innings as he dispatched three batsmen in the penultimate over to inject vigour into the contest. The energy was clearly infectious as it made a 40-year-old JP Duminy turn back the years to produce a remarkable show of athleticism.

Duminy played 326 games for the Proteas in an international career that spanned over 15 years before finally hanging his boots from all forms in 2021, soon after which he was named the white-ball batting coach for the national team. The veteran was unepectedly called into action on Monday on the back of a slew of injuries for the Proteas as Nandre Burger hurt his knee in the opening game followed by issues for Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi in the run-up to the third ODI. With the squad thus limited, the African outfit had no option but to call upon Duminy's services as a substitute fielder for the final over of the innings and skipper Rassie van der Dussen duly placed him at short third-man. Perhaps identifying an opportunity, Harry Tector attampted an awkard reverse slap in front of his stumps to begin Andile Phehlukwayo's over but failed to get a clear connection as the Kookaburra only just lobbed over the keeper's head.

The ball seemed destined to run to the boundary thereafter when Duminy, sporting a nameless shirt, sprinted towards the ball and put in a full length dive to swat the ball back into the circle despite the white rock taking an acute turn after landing on the turf. Duminy was all smiles as were his teammates given the brilliant show of athleticism, and Twitterati was no diffferent.

Wow!

— Arijit Shanto (@ArijitShan18431)

Legend!

🚨 JP DUMINY FIELDED FOR SOUTH AFRICA 🚨

The coach was fielding them due to fatigue for players due to heat.

One of the rare incidents in cricket.
— Monish (@Monish09cric)

He is in there!

What are we seeing? Is this even allowed? 😮 SA batting coach JP Duminy is on the field as a substitute! Has this ever happened before? 3rd ODI SA v IRE …
— lightningspeed (@lightningspeedk)

That's JP Duminy for you!

South Africa's coach, JP Duminy, stepped in as a fielder for the team.

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— Sajjad Aijaz🇵🇰🇵🇸 (@JOE_ROOT_STAN)

What a day to watch him!

Ireland ➕
— Khiladi (@Khiladi_Player)

He was the one today!

Paul Stirling has brought up his 30th half-century! 🎉 His performance is being enjoyed by fans of all ages, from toddlers to the elderly, despite the soaring heat in Abu Dhabi. 🌞🏏 🍀 …
— lightningspeed (@lightningspeedk)

What a sight to watch!