Former South African captain JP Duminy has announced retirement from all forms of the game. He had retired from international cricket after the conclusion of World Cup 2019 but continued playing the franchise cricket.
Duminy featured in Global T20 Canada and Caribbean Premier League. The southpaw was also a part of Paarl Rocks’ squad in the Mzansi Super League (MSL), but due to an injury, he was unable to play for the team. However, he continued to stay with the Rocks as the mentor and guided them to clinch their maiden MSL title (2019).
After announcing the retirement, Duminy said that lack of purpose is the main reason why he decided to put final brakes in his journey as a cricketer. As per the left-handed batsman, he didn’t see any ambition for himself in franchise cricket.
“My drivers have always been if there is a purpose. When it came to South Africa, there was a higher purpose and the kids that look up to you. My ambition is to make it known to younger players about that responsibility,” Duminy was quoted as saying by IOL.
“It is great to be free and young, but to also be aware of what you do has consequences. With great power comes great responsibility. And playing international cricket you had a degree of purpose,” added Duminy.
“I am young enough to play and still earn money from the franchise game, but I am lacking a strong purpose with that. I played CPL and Canadian Premier League. I found at the CPL there is a hunger for young players to seek out older players. I don’t know what’s next. I had to take a bold step of closing a door before I could open the next door,” Duminy added further.
Duminy is the leading run-scorer in T20Is for South Africa, and overall, he sits at the ninth spot. In 81 matches, the southpaw scored 1934 runs with 96 not out being his highest.
The 35-year-old played 46 Tests and 199 ODIs as well, in which he amassed 2103 and 5100 runs, respectively. He was also a part of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he scored over 2000 runs in 83 appearances.
