JP Duminy and the non-bad run of form

There’s something I really like about JP Duminy. He’s compact at the crease yet can unleash a range of dynamic, powerful strokes to change the course of the game. He’s got concentration and resolute determination and has played some match-winning innings already in a short career. His undoubted highlights have been 50 not out in his second Test innings (Perth, December 2008) followed by that scintillating 166 at the MCG in the following Test. The other two highlights were 73 not out against Australia in Durban last year and an accomplished 56 against England. After his 15th innings his average was a respectable although far from earth-shattering 35.38... and he’s just shy of the 500-run mark. Not signs of a Tendulkar or Lara legacy in waiting, although when watching him bat it’s hard not to want to lay money down on him enjoying a lengthy and profitable Test career with the bat.

SELECTORS TAKE NOTE
However, before we let stats get the better of us, it’s vital to mention that SA legend Jacques Kallis’ Test average currently stands on just under 55, yet he’s substantially lower than this mark against Australia (40.58) and England (43.47) – the only two teams Duminy has played against in Tests to date (Duminy’s average against the Baggy Greens is actually currently 48.62!). Hopefully the selectors will take this figures into account before the even contemplate giving his place to someone else in the side.
THE PRICE OF A RUN
Form and confidence are the most important thing for a cricketer and for a batsman in particular there is simply nothing more devastating than a poor run of form. You just don’t know where the next run is coming from and the old saying ‘he couldn’t buy a run’ rings oh-so-true for those struck down by the runless virus.
Duminy made two consecutive golden ducks (2nd innings of the Durban Test, and 1st innings of the 3rd Test at Newlands), which meant that his last three balls faced in Tests have all resulted in him losing his wicket. For England, it was an effective Duminy hat-trick.
SUPPORT FOR BATSMEN
For batsmen it’s important to highlight the difference between a run of bad form and a run of bad luck – and at this point hopefully selectors will also take note. A bad run of form is really when a batsman gets in at the crease and then loses his wicket. Typically, scores below 10 are more down to a run of bad luck rather than a run of bad form – unless, of course, the batsman’s defence has been shocking in getting out, or he’s simply played poor shots. It might seem like splitting hairs, but batting being such a precise and heartless science, it’s vital to know when to give a batsman the benefit of the doubt... as well as not giving a batsman a bad name. Keep telling someone they’re having a bad run of form and, most likely, they’re going to start believing this – and it will have an effect on their play. If you’re just in a run of bad luck then that needs to be dealt with differently in terms of mental preparations and approach. Be careful not to shackle your child, team-mates or pupils with such an incorrect diagnosis. It can be costly to their statistics and devastating to their mental state going into their next innings.

END NOTE
For a Test batsman to keep scoring between 15-35 is effectively a run of bad form. Even getting out for 50s as a top-order Test batsman is really a run of bad form by definition: their ability is such that they should produce better results more often. Two golden ducks in a row is almost certainly more bad luck than bad form, and losing your wicket early in an innings is no indicator of form: sometimes no matter how you try to grit it out you simply can’t avoid an unplayable ball sending you back to the pavilion... or a bad umpiring decision (see the article Taking Your Chances, to follow).