Kirsten puts onus on players - Duminy
by Jason Humphries 26 October 2011, 16:26
Gary Kirsten’s reign as South Africa coach is still in its infancy but he has made it quite clear to the players that he doesn’t possess a magical formula to winning games and the onus is on them to win matches, JP Duminy said on Wednesday.
Kirsten achieved remarkable success with India as they became the top-ranked test team in the world and clinched the World Cup on home soil earlier this year during his term as coach.
His reign as Proteas coach has had a bumpy start with two wins and two losses in two Twenty20 matches and two one-day internationals (ODIs) but batsman Duminy said that it is up to the players to make things work on the field.
“Gary pointed out, when we got together earlier in the year at Arabella, that he doesn’t have a silver bullet to help us win games. It is all about us as a team, as individuals, putting in performances. He can only guide us so much and it’s all up to us,” he explained.
The Kirsten-led South Africa have the chance to claim their first series win under their new mentor when they meet Australia in the third, and final, ODI of the three-match series in Durban on Friday with the two teams locked on one win apiece.
Australia won by the handsome margin of 93-runs in a rain-affected game in Centurion while South Africa levelled the series with a convincing 80-run victory in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
Duminy scored 56 runs in the PE clash while he shared in a valuable 107-run fifth-wicket partnership with David Miller to set up the Proteas’ big win.
The left-handed Duminy said that the turnaround in South Africa’s form was simply a case of returning to the basics of the game.
“Both teams have been a bit hot and cold. From our point of view we just went back to the drawing board and looked at our weaknesses and where we could improve.
“We knew that it was a must-win game and we made sure we put in a big performance,” he explained.
Despite the importance of Friday’s game Duminy said that South Africa would not be altering their preparation.
“I don’t see it being any different from any other game. The way we prepare for the game will be totally the same. Hopefully we can put in another clinical performance like we did on Sunday,” he said.
Inclement weather is expected for Friday’s match and Duminy felt that the team which adapted quicker to the rain could emerge triumphant.
“It would complicate things a little bit. Durban has been known for its bounce and carry in the wicket, so I'm guessing the wet weather may play some sort of effect on that. It might be a little bit damper than what it normally is. But I guess it's going to be the team that figures out the conditions quicker that may be the dominant force,” he concluded.