[Watch] JP Duminy Takes The Field Against Ireland; Makes An Outrageous Diving Effort
JP Duminy Fielding- (Source: @ScreenGrab)
On Monday, October 7, South Africa locked horns against Ireland for the third and final ODI of the three-match series. It was a dead rubber match as the Proteas had won the first two games to clinch the series.
Ireland registered a 69-run win in the third ODI as the Rassie van der Dussen-led side failed to chase down 285 runs and tumbled for just 215 runs. Meanwhile, bizarre scenes occurred at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium as South Africa's batting coach, JP Duminy, took the field as a substitute fielder as the Proteas were short of fielders.
JP Duminy Takes The Field Vs Ireland
The South African players failed to withstand the scorching heat and humid weather as several players experienced fatigue and soreness. Thus, Duminy, who was a renowned fielder of his time, stepped up and played as a substitute fielder.
He also hogged the internet after he stopped one of the deliveries by putting in a dive at the age of 40. The incident occurred on the first ball of the last over of the innings when Duminy put in a diving effort for his side.
Notably, Duminy hung up his boots for the Proteas in 2019, but as per cricket rules, and rules, coaches or members of support staff can take the field as a substitute if the players are injured or as in this case, fatigued.
Other Incidents When Support Staff Took On The Field
It is not the first time that such incident has occurred on the field, as during the warm-up match ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, Australia were forced to field with their support staff as they only had nine players available in their line-up and needed their coaching staff to step up during their bowling innings. Australia's chief selector - former captain George Bailey, head coach Andrew McDonald, fielding coach And Andre Borovec and batting coach Brad Hodge stepped in at that time.