I probably lacked mental strength in the past, says Duminy

As a youngster, South Africa's latest cricketing star Jean Paul Duminy never believed that he could ever make it to the top tier. But now after making his mark on the Australia tour, he feels he is indeed cut out for the big league.

Duminy credits his fight-back to the top stage to psychological strength. "Probably more of the mental approach to the game, I probably lacked that a bit in the past," he was quoted as saying by The Age.

During his earlier days, South African selectors believed Duminy did not possess the will to cut it at the top and the cricketer was the butt of jokes in the team camp when fitness tests were held.

Despite fighting back to make his one-day international debut in 2004, Duminy was dropped from the national side and the same questions were raised.

"I'm a firm believer of everything happens for a reason, there's a time for everything," Duminy said. "The way things have panned out is probably the best way I could ask for. It definitely made me hungrier and the key for me was just to make sure I keep scoring runs and keep my name in the pool."

Duminy's form has been crucial in plotting's Australia's downfall in Tests at home and he feels that South Africa will dominate all forms of the game in the coming years.

"Anything is possible, and no team is unbeatable - that's the main thing I've learnt for myself (on this tour)," Duminy said.

"I believe now I'm good enough to play at this level. There was always that doubt in my mind, not having played a Test match yet. Now the belief is more there and now I feel like I'm part of the set-up."

He feels that the tour to Australia made his career.

"I've taken a lot of confidence out of it. It's a special thing to come to Australia and perform as well as I have this far, and it's something I will cherish for the rest of my life and, hopefully, if we come back here again, I can do the same thing," said Duminy.

Last updated on Jan 22^nd, 2009 at 19:03 pm IST--IANS