Duminy's 141 was complete with numerous skillful drives through cover that pierced gaps with precision. © Getty
Watching Jean-Paul Duminy, South Africa's No. 4, in full flow is a serene experience. With his piercing, flowing trademark drives, he thoroughly passes the eye test; you feel like you're watching a great batsman. If you watch him intermittingly, like many Australian fans would have, the natural assumption is that Duminy's Test career average would be fairly lofty; a mark around 50 in a dominant era for batsmen feels about accurate.
Thus, it is always a baffling experience realising Duminy has the modest average hovering around 32 (before this Test), which coincidentally mirrors his age. A litany of inconsistency and injuries have ensured Duminy has played just 37 Tests in eight years resulting in an unfulfilled career.
Perhaps he's never destined to be an all-timer or a consistent force but during those occasional moments when his undeniable talents materialise, Duminy's batting is breathtaking and a thing of beauty.
On Day 3 of the first Test against Australia, Duminy's skills harnessed memorably during a record 250-run third-wicket partnership with Dean Elgar at the WACA. Duminy's 141 was complete with numerous skillful drives through cover that pierced gaps with precision.
Duminy was at his incomparable best after Lunch when he decided to stamp his authority on proceedings, hitting five boundaries in an eleven-ball stretch to storm towards a century. His bat seemingly had the golden touch and the way it was flashing so delicately was reminiscent of the artistry Brian Lara used to so memorably exude.
Perhaps it is unwise and unfair to compare Duminy with an all-timer like Lara, but undoubtedly he can tap into the type of magical realm reserved for the likes of the former West Indian. The WACA's pitch flattened and Australia's bowling was wilting amid Perth's stifling heat, but Duminy was in complete command like he was waving a wand.
Just when it seemed like he was racing towards a peerless century, Duminy suddenly became mired in quicksand agonisingly close to his ton. During this uncomfortable stretch, he only mustered one run from 20 deliveries. It appeared he may have been overthinking the situation, like numerous instances which have blighted his erratic career, but Duminy ensured nerves didn't get the better of him.
Another flowing drive off Mitchell Marsh brought up a brilliant ton and he continued on his merry way until being dismissed at the stroke of Tea. It was only Duminy's fifth Test century but three of them have come against Australia. He averages 51 against Australia from 11 Tests, considerably more than his career mark of 32. Duminy has the startling average of 66 from five Tests played in Australia after enjoying a meteoric rise as a debutant in 2008-09.
He unfortunately missed nearly all of the 2012-13 series after suffering an Achilles injury during a warm down after the opening day of the series but it appears he is making up for that with a concerted effort in this series.
A little like VVS Laxman in yesteryear, it seems Duminy focuses more intently when challenged against Australia, who always play a tough brand of cricket no matter their team's strength. Speaking in the press conference after the day's play, Duminy said he relished playing Australia.
"You know you have to bring your A game (against Australia)," he said. "Every time you play against them you know there is no period you can rest and I think today was testament to that. I didn't feel at any stage that I could relax but I just made sure I focused on every ball."
With captain AB de Villiers missing due to injury, most assumed Faf du Plessis, South Africa's stand-in skipper, would be elevated to the prime position, which for some time had been occupied by their best batsmen - de Villiers and Jacques Kallis. Instead, South Africa punted with Duminy, perhaps hoping it would bring out his best.
"I was pleased with the opportunity, it is something I have always enjoyed in the First-class arena batting at four," Duminy said. "Particularly given that it is a crucial position in the South African team. I knew I had to fill some big boots there and obviously today was a step in the right direction."
Duminy believed the WACA pitch would get more difficult for batting with a notable crack menacingly opening. "The cracks have definitely opened up more and that is in our favour," he said. "Obviously we have got to hit them and we saw in the last hour with their seamers that the ball moved around a bit. Once the ball goes reverse it gets us into the game."
Famously, Duminy hit the winning runs eight years ago at the WACA as South Africa successfully chased down the second highest target in Test history. If South Africa wins this Test, Duminy believed it would be as momentous as that landmark achievement.
"Definitely will be up there. To do it without Dale will be hard work but we definitely believe we can do it," he said.
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