Duminy eager to repay faith

Cape Town - JP Duminy has expressed delight after being named in the Proteas squad for the ICC Champions Trophy following his return from an Achilles injury.

Duminy, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in a freak “warm-down” accident after day one of the first Test against Australia at Brisbane last November, said he understood the challenge to play cricket at international level again after a long injury, but felt mentally and physically up to the task.

“It’s good to be in the green and gold. I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. I know it’s not going to be easy, after such a long period of not playing cricket.

“I’ve been doing a lot of rehab, a lot of strength work on the Achilles, and over the last four to five weeks I have been running.

“I have been really blessed to have a good medical staff around me at the Cobras,” Duminy said.

Duminy was eager to repay the Proteas team management for the faith they have shown in him.

“Working with Gary Kirsten over the last couple of weeks has been good, to understand what my role will be within the team. I just want to slot back in there as quickly as possible.

“Being in the team environment has been key for my return. Knowing that I still have a place within the setup has done a lot for my confidence.”

Duminy was confident the Proteas could win the Champions Trophy if they stayed focused.

“I am very confident. I think we have a great bunch of guys (with) a good mix of youth and experience. We definitely can go all the way, it’s just about us believing in ourselves, believing in the team structures and processes,” Duminy said.

Proteas ICC Champions Trophy squad:

AB de Villiers (Titans - captain), Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras), Farhaan Behardien (Titans), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Colin Ingram (Warriors), Rory Kleinveldt (Cape Cobras), Ryan McLaren (Knights), David Miller (Dolphins), Morne Morkel (Titans), Robbie Peterson (Cape Cobras), Aaron Phangiso (Highveld Lions), Graeme Smith (Cape Cobras), Dale Steyn (Cape Cobras), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Dolphins)