South Africa's new strategic consultant JP Duminy optimistic about team’s chances in WC

Former South Africa all-rounder JP Duminy has been appointed as the new strategic consultant of the Proteas for the upcoming T20 World Cup taking place in UAE and Oman. 

The 37-year-old, who retired recently in 2019 from all formats of the game is thrilled to be among the players whom he played alongside just a few years ago. He has had a few sessions with the team in his new capacity and feels that the players are buzzing and having belief in them to end South Africa’s drought of ICC World Cups. 

"I am very optimistic about what I've seen over the last couple of days. I love what I am seeing. I am loving the conversations that are happening and the clarity but also there is this belief within each other, which is great to see. And in many ways, also contagious,” Duminy was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. 

Talking about his role in the setup, the Cape Cobras man said that he wants to share his experience of playing in pressure situations and tell players that they are worthy enough of being in the squad whether they have played one match or hundred matches. 

"We want to make sure we provide them with enough information for them to find the answers as well. This is an environment, it is not a dictatorship. It is a facilitation of learning. If we are in a position to ask the right questions, we can collectively find the right answers,” Duminy said about his role in the team. 

"People want to feel valued and as they belong. Having had the experience of playing here for 15 years, I truly understand that. It doesn't matter who you are, in terms of playing 100 games or one game, there's always an inherent need to feel like you belong to something bigger than yourself. That's what the Proteas is about. It's a representation of 60 million people and there's great,” the Proteas added saying that getting 100% from a player is only possible if he feels he belongs in the team. 

Duminy, who has spent 15 years in the Proteas colours travelling all around the world said that if families are allowed to travel with the players, it could boost their confidence and provide the much-needed distraction. 

“It's important to have perspective and to have a greater cause or purpose outside of the game. This is also where the families come in. The families play an integral part in calmness. They are a positive distraction if one can call it that,” he said.