Wessels keeps faith in Duminy

JP Duminy, South Africa's middle-order batsman, has returned home and will miss the third and final ODI against India in Ahmedabad. Duminy, who has had a torrid time with the bat in recent times, sustained a hand injury in Gwalior, where India took an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series.

Kepler Wessels, the batting consultant of the South African team, feels that the injury-break is a blessing in disguise for Duminy, who is looking to regain confidence. "We mentioned a few technical and psychological aspects that we would like him to work on. It's a good thing that he will now go and play in the Indian Premier League where the pressure is not so intense and he will be able to regain his confidence," Wessels told Supersport.

After a dream start to his Test career, including a fifty and a hundred in his first two Tests during South Africa's successful tour of Australia, Duminy's form has dropped alarmingly. In his last eight international innings he has managed 58 runs, with only one score in double-digits and four first-ball ducks. In particular, he has struggled to counter offspinners, such as Graeme Swann and Harbhajan Singh, early in his innings.

But Wessels sees no reason why the youngster cannot regain his form. "It is not unusual for young players to start struggling after early success once opponents start making plans for them. In that case it's the young player's task to find a counter. JP has the world's talent and I believe he can fight back," Wessels said.