CHENNAI: Jacques Duminy is not tired of people asking him about his half brother, JP Duminy. The shy 15-year-old is in Chennai to represent South Africa at the World Junior Squash Championship. But he always calls his friend Michael Isamil when talking to the press. “Ask about our team first,” Jacques says.
In any field, if you have a successful sibling or relative, there is always a lot of expectation. And if you end up choosing the same career path, the pressure doubles up. But Jacques doesn’t mind (being asked about the cricketer.
The Cape Town lad took up squash when he was 10 after getting inspired by his father, who used to play for leisure. But his first love was cricket. Representing the U-13 Western Province team, Jacques was an all-rounder. But he switched to the racquet sport because he believed it suited him. “I think I’m more talented in squash and I’m not going to stop cricket either. Actually, I’m not in a position to choose now. I’m just getting a feel of both. This year, I took a break from cricket. I wanted to try squash and I’m really happy. But I’m young and I may switch to cricket again. Cricket is a lot longer and it’s tiring to stand under the sun. But the team spirit and being in a group is great fun,” he says.
A fan of former Sri Lanka cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara, Jacques says he never felt the pressure to perform in cricket because of JP Duminy. Even when the two of them hang out, cricket is the last topic they discuss. “He talks about Christianity and other things and motivates me. Though the age gap is massive, we get along very well.”
But he does enjoy the perks of being related to a famous sports personality in his country. “I have met a few cricketers, like Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn and Mark Boucher,” he says as his eyes light up. But ask him who is the most famous, he says, “I would say my brother is relatively popular. But not as much as AB de Villiers.”
However, he is proud of his brother and has seen him play many times. “I have watched him play. He has had some great knocks. But I enjoy watching AB as well.”
vimalsankar@newindianexpress.com
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