Maphaka magic takes Proteas u.19’s to opening World Cup win in Potch
Kwena Maphaka (5/38) made sure that South Africans and the world will remember his name with a magnificent man of the match bowling display that was full of aggressive intent, but also oozed control and deadly accuracy.
South Africa needed a hero to step up and set the tone in the opening match of the 2024 u.19 Cricket World Cup in Potchefstroom.
The last thing SA’s rising stars needed was a loss in front of their home crowd against a West Indian team who looked on course for a brilliant victory, thanks to Jewel Andrew’s 130 (96 balls).
Kwena Maphaka (5/38) made sure that South Africans and the world will remember his name with a magnificent man of the match bowling display that was full of aggressive intent, but also oozed control and deadly accuracy.
Just ask any Windies u.19 batter who had to come face to face with some inswinging yorkers – a la Wasim Akram.
Here is the match in pictures: Photos: Wouter Pienaar.
It was a sight to behold as the SA u.19 left arm speedster tore into the West Indies batsmen with five crucial wickets, just when the hosts needed it most.
West Indies needed to chase 286 from 50 overs, but fell 31 runs short with 59 balls to spare. They could’ve strolled to victory, but Maphaka and Riley Norton (3/66) took wickets at crucial stages in the match.
Oliver Whitehead’s run-out of Nathan Sealy for 33 (55) was another big moment in the match, as he and Andrew were running the show at that stage with counter punching of the highest order taking the visitors from 73/5 to 190/5 in the space of 17 overs.
Andrew played a superb and classy knock, which was definitely the batting performance of the day. The Windies were in dire straits after Maphaka and Norton had decimated the top order, but Andrew kept his composure and not only braved it out, but hit back in aggressive and typical calypso fashion.
The injury to SA speedster, Martin Khumalo, might have also hampered the SA attack, but Maphaka and Norton, took on the extra burden and rose to the challenge – BMT in spades.
The SA batsmen can also look back on a great recovery in their innings after a middle over slump had them on 145/6 at one stage.
Proteas u.19 captain, Juan James (47 off 54 balls) and the hard-hitting, Dewan Marais, (65 off 38 balls) put on a record 131-run partnership for the 7th wicket that propelled SA to 285/9 in their 50 overs.
Marais had the crowd on their feet hitting 4 sixes and 4 fours in a blitzkrieg. He especially enjoyed hitting to cow corner as well as flicking it over the fine leg boundary.
Lhuan-dré Pretorius (40 off 34 balls) and David Teeger (44 off 98 balls) were the next highest run-getters for the Proteas.
The Proteas will take a lot of positives from a tense and competitive clash into their next game against England on Tuesday, 23 January at the J.B. Marks Oval.
A win against England will secure a place in the Super Six stage.
