JP Duminy of South Africa during the 4th ODI match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at St Georges Park in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images

JP Duminy of South Africa during the 4th ODI match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at St Georges Park in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images

Proteas legend set to make club cricket return this week

Proteas legend JP Duminy has been included in Strandfontein Cricket Club’s squad for a WPCA first division A match.

JP Duminy of South Africa during the 4th ODI match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at St Georges Park in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images

JP Duminy of South Africa during the 4th ODI match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at St Georges Park in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images

Strandfontein Cricket Club have named Proteas legend JP Duminy in their squad for the Western Province Cricket Association first division A fixture against the University of Cape Town Cricket Club.

The former Proteas star’s participation was first reported by Club Cricket SA.

Proteas legend Duminy back in action

Duminy retired from all forms of professional cricket in 2020, but has remained involved with the club.

According to the latest standings available from WebSports, Strandfontein currently occupy eighth position in 2021-22’s 12-team WPCA first division A.

Duminy puts his money where his mouth is when it comes to backing grassroots cricket.

Strandfontein have won six of their 14 WPCA first division A fixtures.

Duminy has a history of coming to the club’s aid. He turned out for them a few seasons ago while he was still an active Proteas player.

His JP21 Foundation has also sought to reignite the passion and enthusiasm for the game of cricket. Particularly in underprivileged communities and schools in the Western Cape areas of Mitchells Plain and Strandfontein.

Over 2000 learners participate in the programmes put on by the JP21 Foundation. Four boys have even gone on to represent Western Province. Eight have attained bursaries.

Those programmes also include holiday clinics, a holistic winter programme and working closely with Cricket South Africa hubs.

What has he been up to?

The former Proteas allrounder is also a noted anti-bullying advocate.

The stated vision of the JP21 foundation is: “To inspire minds, provide opportunities and to be an instrument for change, we want kids in a vulnerable society to be afforded opportunities to make their dreams come true. Make a tangible and meaningful contribution to society. It is our wish to increase our resources.

On the group’s website it also states: “Founded in 2015, JP21 FOUNDATION is dedicated to revitalizing the game of cricket in under developed communities and schools. Communities riddled by gang violence and substance abuse. The JP21 FOUNDATION has an opportunity to make a real impact in the children’s lives within this community.

“Critical to our objectives is to promote positive SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, SKILLS DEVELOPMENT and making CRICKET ACCESSIBLE to all learners. 

“We do this by, equipping learners holistically from social development interventions to promoting healthy lifestyle living and importantly creating a spirited environment. In Addition, the project endeavours to IDENTIFY and DEVELOP TALENT and skills of learners and provide a specialized program for this.