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Duminy Backs Stubbs for "Amazing Stuff" in SA20 Despite World Cup Snub

Former South Africa batter JP Duminy has expressed strong support for Tristan Stubbs, who was surprisingly left out of the national T20 World Cup squad. Duminy believes Stubbs has shown excellent leadership skills by captaining Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the top of the SA20 league standings. He highlighted Stubbs's "follow me" attitude as a key leadership quality, despite the player's modest run tally in the tournament so far. Duminy also suggested Stubbs should stay ready as a potential injury replacement for the upcoming World Cup.

Key Points: JP Duminy Backs Tristan Stubbs to Excel in SA20 Leadership Role

  • Stubbs omitted from SA20 World Cup squad
  • Leading Sunrisers Eastern Cape to top of SA20
  • Praised for leadership qualities
  • Backed as potential injury replacement
2 min read

Have no doubt that Stubbs will do some amazing stuff in SA20, says Duminy

JP Duminy praises Tristan Stubbs's leadership for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20, backing the young batter to do "amazing stuff" despite T20 World Cup omission.

"I have no doubt that he'll do some amazing stuff in this SA20. - JP Duminy"

New Delhi, Jan 8

Tristan Stubbs was a notable omission from South Africa's squad for the T20 World Cup, but ex-batter JP Duminy believes the youngster has shown strong leadership skills by taking Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the top of the SA20 standings and has backed him to do amazing things in the ongoing tournament.

Stubbs, 25, has been rated as one of the most exciting young batters in the cricketing world and has slowly become a mainstay in all formats for South Africa, as well as being a proven finisher for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

But his recent lean run in T20Is meant Jason Smith was picked ahead of him for the T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Despite the surprising omission, Stubbs has excelled as a captain for the very first time in the SA20 league, though his run tally stands at just 28 runs in five games.

"Again, I think it's a great opportunity to shift focus. There's no doubt there'd be disappointment for him. He's been part of pretty much all formats for a period of time, and to miss out would be really disappointing for him. But I think the opportunity from a leadership standpoint is that it shifts focus onto other people and other teams.

"It's great to see him in that leadership role. I think he's got great leadership qualities, and the leadership quality that I think stands out for me, and I know he hasn't put in major performances just yet.

"But he's certainly somebody who comes to mind as leading through performance. Like, follow me, I'll show you the way, and that's a great leadership quality to have. I have no doubt that he'll do some amazing stuff in this SA20," Duminy told IANS while addressing the Indian media in a virtual session facilitated by SA20 on Thursday.

Duminy also felt Stubbs would be ready to fire with the bat if a chance to come in as a replacement player arrives in next month's mega event.

"Hopefully, if an opportunity arises, we've often seen in times past where injuries occur. We've certainly seen it as a South African team as well. Obviously, there's some late-minute call-ups, and he certainly wants to give himself the best chance to make sure he's ready for that, if any," he said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
It's a bit harsh to drop him based on a lean patch. Young players need backing. Look at how India stuck with Pant through his ups and downs. Leadership role might bring the best out of his batting too.
R
Rohit P
Only 28 runs in 5 games as a captain? That's a worry, yaar. Leadership is good, but your primary job is to score runs, especially as a top-order batter. Hope he finds form soon.
S
Sarah B
Duminy makes a fair point about shifting focus. Sometimes being dropped frees you up. As a DC fan, I know what Stubbs can do in crunch situations. He'll be back stronger.
V
Vikram M
The World Cup is in our backyard! Would have been great to see him play in India. But if he performs in SA20, he might still get a late call-up. The tournament needs such explosive players.
K
Kavya N
Respect to Duminy for supporting the youngster publicly. In India, our ex-players also do this for talents like Rinku or Jaiswal. It's important to build confidence. All the best to Stubbs!

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