Injury rules JP Duminy out of the Test series – Cricket News Update
South African batsman, JP Duminy, has been ruled out of action for up to six months after breaking an Achilles tendon in his left heel while training during the opening, ongoing Test against Australia.
The left-hander slipped during a fielding session and had to be carried off by the team’s physio Brandon Jackson and bowling coach Allan Donald. He was immediately sent for scans, after which Mohammed Moosajee, the Proteas manager, revealed that the player faces a lengthy period on the sidelines.
He has not taken part in the ongoing Test so far after skipper Graeme Smith elected to bat first. Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis were at the crease when play ended on day 1, with the tourists confidently placed at 255 for 2.
"He was running in the shuttle sprints and heard a pop," Mohammed Moosajee, the South African team manager, said. "The diagnosis of an Achilles' tendon rupture was confirmed by the MRI scan this evening and he will undergo surgery to re-attach the tendon on Saturday morning.
" We will only be able to gauge an expected recovery date further down the line, but injuries of this nature have been known to take up to six months before the player can resume playing cricket.”
Duminy had recently cemented his place in the Test side following the premature retirement of Mark Boucher, who suffered an eye injury just before the start of the England tour in July. With the Proteas having the luxury of AB de Villiers behind the stumps, Duminy was given the nod at no.7 and performed exceptionally well against the Poms, scoring 135 runs in the three-match Test series at an impressive 67.50.
His absence will be a major blow for the tourists, who decided to field a four-pronged pace attack for the Gabba Test in a hope that Duminy would provide them with a slow-bowling option. Mossajee said that the player is optimistic over a swift return.
"He is obviously disappointed, but is trying his best to stay positive; he says everything happens for a reason."
South Africa will name his replacement in the coming days, while Faf du Plessis will take up the fielding responsibilities as the 12th man.
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