Young South African batsman JP Duminy has been named as this week's Cricket World® Player Of The Week after his career-best innings of 79 not out helped his side overcome the West Indies in the opening one-day international at Centurion Park.
Duminy, under some pressure to produce a knock of substance, and with Justin Ontong recalled to the side in the absence of Herschelle Gibbs, he came to the crease with his side in trouble at four for two chasing 176 to win in 36 overs.
He forged a workmanlike partnership of 55 with Jacques Kallis, before Kallis' dismissal meant Duminy had to up the run rate with rain falling and South Africa behind on Duckworth-Lewis.
He did this with a number of crashing pull strokes and some glorious drives which were a feature of his innings.
He ended the match himself with the winning runs stroked through midwicket with two overs of the game to spare.
Duminy's innings earned him the man of the match award and he takes the Player Of The Week Award despite stiff competition from most of the India side that beat Australia, Darren Sammy and Gautam Gambhir for his unbeaten century in the Ranji Trophy final.
The Cricket World ® Player Of The Week is judged by the www.cricketworld.com Editorial Team, which takes into consideration matches played in the preceding week with the final decision made on Monday morning.
Users are welcome to discuss the award and put forward contenders for each week's award on our forum, to do so, click
here.
© Cricket World 2008
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