JP Duminy refuses credit for Proteas' vastly improved batting

Quinton De Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram all scored centuries to make history as the first team to score three individual hundreds in a single innings at a 50-over World Cup, while the latter scored the fastest ton in just 49 balls.

All of this set the Proteas up to registering the highest-ever total scored by a single team at an ODI World Cup. And Duminy – who was appointed to Rob Walter's white-ball team in March – refused to bask in the spotlight for his contribution to improving the batting unit.

"It's certainly not about me, but about the grit and the determination that the guys showed. Something we often reflect upon is 'What are the conditions, what are our best options according to the conditions?'", he said from India.

"And I think that was pretty much a perfect day, breaking records, and opportunities to score three 100s don't come around every day. We'll certainly take that as a massive confidence booster going into the rest of the tournament," said Duminy.

While plenty of credit has rightfully gone to De Kock, van der Dussen, and Markram, Duminy highlighted teamwork as the keynote and catalyst to the fine individual displays, which he is confident will continue through the rest of the World Cup.

"I know for a fact that, whatever their driver is, there's a strong determination to put up that performance to give the team the best opportunity. Yes, there will be personal things they'd like to achieve, but certainly, the driver for us is putting the team first and what the team need.

"And if some personal milestones and achievements come with that, that's great, but we certainly want to drive that culture, that behaviour, that language that this puts the team in the best position to win the game. 

"I'm certainly very chuffed for the fact that these guys have put these big performances early on in the tournament, which bodes well for what's to come. 

"We're gonna come up against moments in this tournament where we are going to face some really big challenges and the fact that we've gone through some really confidence boosters, I think, it's gonna give us a great opportunity to get through those difficult times." 

One of those possible obstacles comes on Thursday when they face Australia, whom they defeated 3-2 in the last series before the World Cup.