JP Duminy: Mzansi Super League not just about winning

JP Duminy emphasised the importance of a strong brand of cricket being played throughout the Mzansi Super League,” writes Naeemah Benjamin.

JP Duminy is part of the Paarl Rocks squad for the second edition of the Mzansi Super League that kicks off on Friday, 8th November with the Paarl Rocks starting their campaign on Sunday the 10th against their neighbours in a mouthwatering Cape derby.

“The beauty of the tournament is not just winning, yes you always play to win but you look at what the product MSL is and what we want it to be, it’s about a strong brand of cricket being played.”

The former Proteas all-rounder was part of the Barbados Tridents who won their second Carribean Premier League title last month.

There are a few England world cup winners amongst the six teams as well as other players that have won various T20 leagues around the world.

For South African youngsters, in particular, this is a great opportunity to gain confidence and experience from these players.

There are so many lessons and things to learn from players like Jason Roy, Moeen Ali and Chris Gayle.

“They epitomize the word freedom, expressing yourself. I think we’ve come to understand the West Indian culture anyway and it was just great for me to be part of that experience and to understand how they play their game,” Duminy explained.

“They all about positivity and being aggressive irrespective of the result. Yes, one plays to win at any given time but it’s about having fun.

“You look at the slogan of what the CPL is, the biggest party in sport and they live that culture and T20 cricket is about having fun and being explosive and that’s definitely something I think we can take on board here.”

Duminy pinpointed how great it’ll be for young players as well as experienced players to share a changing room with Roy who recently won a World Cup and SA-born Roelof van der Merwe who won the T20 qualifiers with the Netherlands recently.

“That kind of elements coming into the MSL is going to be fundamental for this tournament,” he added.

“What was it that brought them to the point of winning a World Cup and what was the key elements that they found that worked for them.

“What x-factors can they add that gives their teams an extra edge.”