POTCHEFSTROOM: A sensational bowling performance by Kwena Maphaka helped South Africa Under-19 initiate the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 with a bang as they ousted West Indies by 31 runs at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Friday.
The star hasty bowler claimed five for 38 to dismiss the islanders for 254 with nearly 10 overs to fade as they hunted down the home side’s 286 target in the North West.
But Maphaka delivered the killer blows to ensure the home side made a flying start to the competition. Riley Norton was the other key bowler for the South Africans, grabbing three for 66, including the key wicket of centurion Jewel Andrew after he had clubbed 130 off 96 balls (14 fours, 3 sixes)
The result puts Malibongwe Maketa’s side top of Group B with England next up for them on Tuesday.
And the hosts will be thrilled to acquire claimed a key win to start the tournament with their batters too playing a role in an innings that saw Dewan Marais top-score with a bludgeoning 65 off 38 balls, including four sixes and four fours.
Before that, though, Lhuan-dre Pretorius recorded a breezy 40 off 34 balls at the top of the order and number three David Teeger hit a more patient 44 after their team lost the toss and were asked to hold first strike.
The pair gave their side a sound start on 97 for two, before some middle order struggles left them in a fix at 145 for six – Nathan Sealy (3/34) doing most of the damage for WI.
Captain Juan James (47) then took up the mantle with a fine repair job alongside Marais as the pair added 131 in no time for the seventh wicket to ensure their side ended well on 285 for nine.
In reply, Maphaka came out firing.
The 17-year-old removed Adrian Weir for a second ball duck in the first over and then claimed two key scalps in the third – West Indian captain Stephan Pascal for six and Joshua Dorne for nine leaving the total on 17 for three.
Norton added the wickets of Jordan Johnson (21) and Steve Wedderburn (12) to his tally, before a remarkable counter-attack by Andrew.
Despite his efforts to threaten a remarkable fightback, the home side hung in and managed to hit back, before dismissing their opponents in 40.1 overs.
SA U19 Men’s Squad – ICC U19 Men’s World Cup 2024
Juan James (captain, Western Province), Martin Khumalo (Easterns), 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 vs England U19 – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Saturday, 27 January – 10:00
Scotland U19 vs South Africa U19 – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Source: cricket.co.za
Kepler Wessels (born 1957) – 50 internationals, 41.86 average, 179 high score, nine centuries, 24 official Tests: Wessels had one of the most intriguing and fascinating international careers. It began in South Africa, and moved to Australia before returning to South Africa. He began with a match for the President’s XI in 1975-76, followed by four matches for Australia in World Series Cricket, 24 Tests for Australia, four rebel Tests for Australia, one rebel Test for South Africa, then 16 Tests for South Africa in which he was captain.
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