JP Duminy still expects to be dropped for the final Test against Australia despite his century at The MCG.
Centurion keeping his feet on the ground after his match-saving knock
JP Duminy still expects to be dropped for the final Test against Australia despite his century on day three at The MCG.
The 24-year-old left-hander only came into the South Africa side because of the late withdrawal of Ashwell Prince before the opening Test in Perth.
Having helped guide the Proteas to victory with an unbeaten half-century in that first Test, Duminy then went on to hit a match-saving 166 on Sunday as the tourists battled back from 198 for seven to finish 459 all out in Melbourne.
But despite his recent heroics the youngster is still unsure how long his run in the side will last.
Modesty
"I probably came out here thinking I wouldn't play," Duminy said. "But stranger things have happened in life. Ashwell gets hit the day before the first Test on the thumb and fractured finger and there I was in the Test.
"It probably will happen that I will be dropped. If Ashwell's fit to play I'm sure he will play. But I'm just thankful for the opportunity. I've got a taste of Test cricket so I'm just looking forward to the next game.
"To score a Test century at this ground is just an unbelievable experience.
"I think my toughest period was in my 90s, purely because I think nerves got the best of me, being at the MCG, in my second Test match, with a chance of scoring a Test century.
"That was probably the most tense moment for me. After I got 100 it got a little bit easier."
Tail-ender Dale Steyn also scored 76 as the pair put on 180 runs for the ninth wicket and Duminy believes his partner deserves plenty of praise as well.
Guts
"He showed a hell of a lot of guts," enthused Duminy on Steyn's efforts.
"He got hit quite a bit. He stuck it out and we kept talking to each other, trying to motivate each other to stay calm, play the moment, play the ball and it worked out for us."
Meanwhile, South Africa have announced that Vaughn van Jaarsveld will join up with the squad for the third Test in Sydney to cover for injuries.
The 23-year-old batsman was already due to fly out to Australia in the near future having been selected in the one-day squad for the upcoming series.
However, with skipper Graeme Smith struggling with an elbow injury and Ashwell Prince still sidelined with a broken thumb, van Jaarsveld will travel out earlier than expected.
