SA U19s gain valuable experience in Bangladesh

The South Africa Under-19 side (SA U19s) toured Bangladesh for five Youth One-Day matches, which took place from 6–17 July 2023. The series was nicely poised at 2-2 heading into the last match, which the Bangladesh U19s ultimately won to seal the series 3-2.

The first three matches were played in Khulna while the last two were played in Rajshahi. The pitches were on the slower side and took some turn, which made free-flowing batting difficult. The majority of the SA U19 batters struggled for consistency, which is not surprising as it was their first tour to the subcontinent. The top run scorer of the series was David Teeger, who also captained the side in the first two matches. He ended up making 205 runs in five innings at an average of 41, with two fifties and a high score of 75.

Lhuandré Pretorius opened in each match and made 143 at an average of 28.60 with one fifty. Pretorius had a few good starts but failed to convert them into big totals, something he will look to rectify going forward. However, it is something all the batters apart from Teeger struggled with.

Richard Seletswane, for example, managed to get to double figures in every match and looked good, before throwing his wicket away before reaching 30. Thebe Gazide played wonderfully for his 58-ball 53 in the third match but didn’t manage to get going in his last two outings.

From a bowling perspective, there was a lot more consistency. The two most experienced players in the squad, Liam Alder and Kwena Maphaka, who both featured in the 2022 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, stepped up and showed their worth. Alder played in four matches and took 11 wickets at an average of 11.27, a strike rate of 19.09 and an impressive economy rate of 3.54. He often tied an end up and took wickets with his accurate left-arm orthodox bowling. Unfortunately, he won’t be eligible for the 2024 Under-19 World Cup as he will be too old at that time.

Maphaka lived up to expectations and bowled fast and with plenty of variations. He executed yorkers, bouncers and slower balls like a player who has been honing his craft for years. It belies belief that he is still only 17 years old and already possesses such immense skill.

It is the reason why Shukri Conrad had no hesitation in calling him up to the South Africa A side in June when Lutho Sipamla picked up an injury. Maphaka made his first-class debut in Sri Lanka for the SA A side. Against the Bangladesh U19s he took 7 wickets in three matches at an average of 18.57, a strike rate of 21 and an economy rate of 5.3. He bowled in the powerplay and at the death, making life uncomfortable for the batters.

With the 2024 Under-19 World Cup being played in Sri Lanka, the experience these youngsters would have picked up in Bangladesh could prove invaluable. Getting a feel for subcontinent conditions with less than a year to go to the big tournament should stand them in good stead and they will feel confident knowing that Kwena Maphaka will be steaming in with the ball.