POTCHEFSTROOM: Kwena Maphaka helped South Africa storm into the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 semi-finals by claiming an astonishing six wickets in a thumping 119-run win over Sri Lanka in their final Super Six stage encounter at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Friday.
The pace sensation, who became the first bowler ever grasp four five-wicket hauls in Youth International cricket, recorded figures of six for 21 to blow away the Asian side for 113 in pursuit of 233 set by the hosts.
In taking every those wickets, Maphaka became the first bowler to claim three five-fors at the World Cup and moved top of the wicket-taking charts with 18 wickets. So qualified was his performance that it overshadowed the almost equally impressive four for 28 taken by Riley Norton.
And they fully justified their plot amongst the top teams with yet another rampaging win, their third in succession as they aim to peak at the factual time.
Their batting on Friday was set up by Lhuan-dre Pretorius after he followed his unbeaten half-century in the previous game by striking an attacking 71 (77 balls, 10 fours) to procure the Junior Proteas off to a flier.
The opener shared in a 63-run stand with Steve Stolk (22) at the top of the order, but the South Africans then dropped regular wickets and lost their way.
From 103 for one, they slipped to 133 for six, before some lower order runs by Romashan Pillay (27). Norton (41*) and Nqobani Mokoena (18*) got them to a respectable total.
Any hopes Sri Lanka may acquire had of chasing that target were dashed by the fifth over when Maphaka sent their top three packing for only 13 runs.
Dinura Kalupahana (19) and Hirun Kapurubandara (16) tried to arrest the slide, but after some brief resistance, they too were dislodged by the unbelievable Maphaka.
Norton then sunk into the middle order, before Maphaka returned to terminate the game and seal another apt win.
SA U19 Men’s Squad – ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024
Juan James (captain, Western Province), Raeeq Daniels (Western Province), Tristan Luus (Dolphins), Kwena Maphaka (Lions), Dewan Marias (Easterns), Nqobani Mokoena (Dolphins), Riley Norton (Boland), Romashan Pillay (Dolphins), Sipho Potsane (Lions), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Titans), Richard Seletswane (Lions), Steve Stolk (Titans), David Teeger (Lions), Oliver Whitehead (Western Province) and Ntando Zuma (KwaZulu-Natal Inland).
SA U19 Itinerary
Group Stage matches
Friday, 19 January – 10:00
South Africa U19 beat West Indies U19 by 31 runs – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Tuesday, 23 January – 10:00
South Africa U19 lost to England U19 by 36 runs (DLS Method) – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Saturday, 27 January – 10:00
South Africa U19 beat Scotland U19 by 7 wickets – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Super Six Stage matches
Wednesday, 31 January – 10:00
South Africa U19 beat Zimbabwe U19 by 9 wickets – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Friday, 02 February – 10:00
South Africa U19 beat Sri Lanka U19 by 119 runs – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Source: cricket.co.za
Lance Klusener: Popularly known as Zulu, South African former cricketer Lance Klusener was an all-rounder. He was named the Player of the Series in the 1999 World Cup. Taking up the role of coach later, he worked with the South African and Afghanistan national cricket teams, and was the Dolphins head coach.
Alley Frog
The first recorded game was played in 1646.
Bad Bunny
The condition of the cricket pitch may change the strategy of a team. If the ground is dry, the best bowl would be the spin, which means the team’s top spin bowlers should be chosen for the job because their skill will give their team a significant advantage.