JP Duminy masterminds SA victory

PTI, DHARAMSALA (INDIA): South African batsman Jean-Paul Duminy, who blunted the Indian attack with his match-winning knock, said the 16th over in which the visitors gathered 22 runs turned the opening T20 cricket match in their favour.
It was Duminy who went berserk and smashed left-arm spinner Axar Patel for three consecutive sixes in that over. His 34-ball 68 not out, laced with a four and 7 sixes, earned him Man of the Match award.
Duminy carried forward the good work done by openers Hashim Amla (36) and AB de Villiers (51) to the visitors a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
“The start was crucial for us. I think the key was that we did not lose wickets in the six overs. And the way AB and Hash (Amla) played was exceptional. The turning point was the 16th over. We tried to find a big over and that was 16th,” the left-hander, who hit his eighth T20 half-century, said after the match.
South Africa lost three wickets in quick succession after the openers put on a 77-run stand but Duminy then combined with Farhaan Behardien (32 not out) to stitch 105-run unbeaten partnership for the fourth wicket.
“We tried to stay in the moment and understand what was required at particular time. We have batted together a few times and our understanding has improved. The focus was to build partnership, the required run-rate was 14-15 at that time,” he said.
Duminy said he got into rhythm very quickly and playing well in the warm up game in Palam helped him in a big way.

JP Duminy masterminds SA victory

PTI, DHARAMSALA (INDIA): South African batsman Jean-Paul Duminy, who blunted the Indian attack with his match-winning knock, said the 16th over in which the visitors gathered 22 runs turned the opening T20 cricket match in their favour. It was Duminy who went berserk and smashed left-arm spinner Axar Patel for three consecutive sixes in that over. His 34-ball 68 not out, laced with a four and 7 sixes, earned him Man of the Match award. Duminy carried forward the good work done by openers Hashim Amla (36) and AB de Villiers (51) to the visitors a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The start was crucial for us. I think the key was that we did not lose wickets in the six overs. And the way AB and Hash (Amla) played was exceptional. The turning point was the 16th over. We tried to find a big over and that was 16th, the left-hander, who hit his eighth T20 half-century, said after the match. South Africa lost three wickets in quick succession after the openers put on a 77-run stand but Duminy then combined with Farhaan Behardien (32 not out) to stitch 105-run unbeaten partnership for the fourth wicket. We tried to stay in the moment and understand what was required at particular time. We have batted together a few times and our understanding has improved. The focus was to build partnership, the required run-rate was 14-15 at that time, he said. Duminy said he got into rhythm very quickly and playing well in the warm up game in Palam helped him in a big way.