[Watch] Batting coach JP Duminy produces fielding brilliance as substitute for South Africa in 3rd ODI vs Ireland
Former South African batter and current white-ball batting coach JP Duminy turned back the clock as he came in as a substitute fielder during the third ODI against Ireland in Abu Dhabi on Monday, October 7. Several Proteas players suffered fatigue due to the extreme heat, resulting in Duminy throwing himself around in the field during the waning stages of the Ireland innings.
The now-40-year-old was a brilliant fielder in his playing days, finishing with 155 catches in 326 international matches across formats.
Here is a video of Duminy rewinding the clock by fielding as a substitute:
Duminy played for South Africa from 2004 to 2019 and was integral to their white-ball sides in the 2010s.
The southpaw finished with over 9,000 runs, including 10 centuries and 46 half-centuries in 326 international outings. Duminy's best moment came when he scored a magnificent 166 against Australia at the MCG to win South Africa the Test series in 2008.
JP Duminy's fielding burst could not prevent South Africa from crushing defeat
Unfortunately for South Africa, JP Duminy's brief appearance on the field was their lone moment of joy as the Irish stunned them in the third and final ODI.
After a drawn 1-1 T20I series, the Proteas secured the ODI series win by winning the first two games comprehensively by 139 and 174 runs, respectively. However, in the final ODI, the Irish batters produced an inspired performance, led by skipper Paul Stirling's masterful 92-ball 88.
A valuable 60 from Harry Tector and a defiant 45 from opening batter Andy Balbirnie helped Ireland post a formidable 284/9 in 50 overs. In reply, the Proteas were immediately in dire straits at 10/3 in the fifth over.
Despite a sensational 91 from newbie Jason Smith, South Africa fell short by 69 runs and were bowled out for a paltry 215 in the 47th over.
Stirling was the Player of the Match, while pacer Lizaad Williams was the Player of the Series for his 11 wickets that helped South Africa win the series 2-1.