Duminy switches to Twenty20 mode

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With two T20Is coming up followed by the IPL, JP hopes the extra practice in that format will give him confidence ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in June Photos of JP Duminy with the ICC World Twenty20 trophy available Audio clips from Duminy available atwww.icc-cricket.com****
South Africa batting sensation JP Duminy got his hands on the ICC World Twenty20 trophy in Johannesburg today and hopes the next time he holds it will be on 21 June, when the winner of this year’s big event will be decided at Lord’s.

After playing plenty of Test and ODI cricket over the past few months, Duminy is ready to switch in Twenty20 mode. Appearing alongside the World Twenty20 trophy in Sandton City shopping mall in Johannesburg, Duminy said: “It is something we are trying to get used to and we are all looking forward to the World Twenty20 in England where we intend to do very well. I think we have taken the right steps to do that and we are really looking forward.

“Twenty20 brings a lot of excitement into the game and also I think it helps brings more crowds in for ODIs and Test match cricket as well so it’s good for the game.

“Hopefully I will be part of that tournament. I really want to stay injury-free and so on and be selected for what should be a great event. It’s going to be a nice experience in the UK and I’m looking forward.

“Hopefully these two Twenty20 Internationals (against Australia on 27 and 29 March) and also the IPL will give me some practice, get me into some good form, allow me to take plenty of confidence into the World Twenty20 and then perform well for South Africa.”

The ICC World Twenty20 2009 runs from 5-21 June. The men’s section of the tournament will be played at three venues, Lord’s, the Oval and Trent Bridge while the women’s teams will also use the ground at Taunton for some of its matches.

“It was good to hold the trophy today – hopefully the next time I lift it up will be along with my team-mates at Lord’s after the final. We’ll have to wait and see,” added Duminy.

Photos of JP Duminy with the ICC World Twenty20 trophy are available through the ICC. Contact james.fitzgerald@icc-cricket.com for more details.

Rights-free audio of JP Duminy is available for download at www.icc-cricket.com

ICC World Twenty20 trophy facts:

  • Designed and manufactured by Links of London

  • Made of silver and rhodium

  • Weighs approximately 7.5kgs

  • Measures 51cms in height with a width of 19cms at the top and 14cms at the base

The ICC World Twenty20 2009 sees 12 of the top men’s teams and the top eight women’s teams competing in a best-of-the-best event at four venues – Lord’s, The Oval, Trent Bridge and Taunton (women’s matches only).

Each of the men’s and women’s semi-finals and the finals will be played as double-headers at the same venues offering great value to spectators and great exposure to the women’s game.

India won the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007 in South Africa when it beat Pakistan by five runs in the final in Johannesburg.