Bulawayo [Zimbabwe], June 27 (ANI): South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad stated that younger left-arm seamer Kwena Maphaka would be the “primary canine” within the bowling division for the nationwide staff within the upcoming Take a look at collection in opposition to Zimbabwe within the absence of skilled quick bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen.
The taking part in eleven of the defending ICC World Take a look at Championship (WTC) will function three debutants, Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and pacer Codi Yusuf. The match is the primary of the Proteas’ WTC 2025-27 cycle and can begin from Saturday onwards.
The guests have a a new-look bowling lineup that includes Corbin Bosch, Codi Yusuf and Kwena Maphaka, different thanleft-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. Among the many three pacers, Yusuf makes his Take a look at debut, whereas Bosch and Maphaka have featured in a Take a look at earlier than.
Talking on Maphaka, Shukri Conrad stated, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo, “With Lungi not being right here for the primary Take a look at, Kwena’s going to steer the bowling assault. As a 19-year-old, if you get on condition that accountability, it does not solely speaks volumes for the way extremely you might be rated, but additionally the calibre and the mentality that he possesses. He is a younger buck that reveals maturity means past his years.”
“We have clearly received to be very sensible in figuring out after we put him out within the store window, and I believe this could be a good time for him. In Zimbabwe, in Take a look at cricket particularly, he’s not the third fast behind KG and Marco essentially however he’s the primary canine. That accountability will develop massively,” the coach added.
Maphaka performed his maiden sport within the longest format of the sport throughout the Take a look at match in opposition to Pakistan earlier this yr as fourth seamer together with Rabada, Jansen, and Wiaan Mulder. In that match, the 19-year-old bowled 21.2 overs throughout the 2 innings, completed with 3 for 90
Following an damage to full-time skipper Temba Bavuma, Maharaj was named because the skipper of the South Africa aspect for the tour. Bavuma had sustained a hamstring pressure throughout the World Take a look at Championship Last, however continued to bat bravely thereafter, guiding the Proteas to a historic title. Maharaj will lead a younger XI into the primary Take a look at in Bulawayo, with Tony de Zorzi and Matthew Breetzke being named because the designated openers, as per the ICC.
Mulder may have one other go at quantity three, after having impressed within the second innings of the Final Take a look at, whereas David Bedingham finds himself promoted to quantity 4. Debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who has simply seven first-class video games to his title, is available in at quantity 5, whereas Dewald Brevis, who additionally makes his Take a look at debut, sits at quantity six.
Lhuan, who had a breakout SA20 for Paarl Royals this yr with 397 runs in 12 matches with three fifties, has made 485 runs in seven first-class video games at a median of 60.62, with three tons and a fifty.
Brevis, who scored poorly in two T20Is he performed for Proteas, has been in large kind throughout all codecs for an extended whereas and had a strong stint with Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) within the Indian Premier League (IPL), scoring 225 runs in six matches at a median of 37.50, with two fifties, at a strike fee of 180.00.
Kyle Verreynne will preserve the wickets and bat at seven.
In all, simply 4 members of the aspect that featured within the World Take a look at Championship Last in opposition to Australia at Lord’s will function on this Take a look at for the Proteas.
Maharaj can also be on the verge of turning into the first-ever South African spinner to realize the landmark of 200 Take a look at wickets, being only one scalp away from the feat.
SA’s Enjoying XI: Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj (c), Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka. (ANI)
