Quick tune up pays dividends

Microanalysis of the minutiae is part of the approach of many cricket coaches, but JP Duminy says his remodelled bowling action is a case of un-fixing what wasn't broken.

South Africa discarded out-of-form Robin Peterson for the second Test against Australia, making part-timer Duminy their No.1 spin option.

Duminy was named man of the match for his first Test century in South Africa, but the 29-year-old's worth with the ball was also crucial in the Proteas' 231-run win in Port Elizabeth.

Duminy bowled 19 overs in the match, taking one wicket in each Australian innings.

By far the most important was that of David Warner in the second dig, after he had put on a 126-run opening stand with Chris Rogers to halt the hosts' charge towards a series-levelling victory.

Duminy altered his bowling action between the first and second Tests, with some local press likening it to Harbhajan Singh's high-arm release.

He was chuffed with the comparison but said his technique tweak, and the ball that trapped Warner lbw, was a case of returning to what was comfortable.

"It's actually something I've gone back to. It's something I used a few years ago, and I always felt that my shape on the ball came out a lot better with that sort of action," Duminy said.

"I tried it a couple of days ago again and it worked.

"I backed myself to do it in the Test match. It came out really well."

Duminy said he felt some pressure being the side's No.1 spinner on a day-four pitch, but that a support cast of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel made it easy to relax.

"When you have a bowling line-up like we do, it's just about holding up an end and trying to take a few wickets," he said.

"Fortunately, I got the first one."