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Maphaka shines as SA shrug Zimbabwe aside

rugby31 January 2024 18:23| © MWP
By:CS Chiwanza
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Kwena Maphaka was sensational, bagging a five-wicket haul, as he inspired South Africa Under-19 to a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Zimbabwe Under-19 in their Group 2 Super Six match at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.

Maphaka’s masterclass with the ball helped South Africa restrict the visitors to 102, a total which they chased down in 13.3 overs, scoring 103 runs for the loss of one wicket.

The win put South Africa’s net run rate in the positive as they fight for one of the top two slots to qualify for the semifinals.

They are now second-placed, ahead of West Indies who are also on four points but have an inferior net run rate.

The 17-year-old Lions' sensation sent down 10 overs and claimed 5-34 to help South Africa blow away the visitors for just over 100 runs in 29.2 overs.

He now has taken the joint-most five-wicket hauls in Youth ODI history with three. Maphaka is also now third on South Africa’s all-time wicket-takers list in Under-19 cricket.

Maphaka took the new ball after his captain, Juan James, won the toss and elected to field first.

The 17-year-old, who is taking part in his second Under-19 World Cup, ran through the Zimbabwean top order, dismissing three of their top four batters for eight runs in his first three overs of the day.

The visitors attempted to regroup and rebuild with a 53-run fifth-wicket partnership between Ronak Patel (32) and Ryan Kamwemba (24).

That partnership survived until the 16th over and was broken by Tristan Luus. Luus and Riley Norton performed in exemplary fashion as change bowlers, managing the 11 to 20 overs period masterfully. They conceded 19 runs for three wickets.

Maphaka returned in the 21st over to clean up the tail, taking two wickets for seven runs.

Maphaka was judged to be the player of the match for his outstanding performance with the ball.

Luus was South Africa’s second-best bowler with three wickets in 7.2 overs at an economy rate of 3.4 runs an over.

With Zimbabwe bundled out cheaply, Maphaka and his fellow pacers had set the stage for a quick and easy chase for the home side.

As has become customary, South Africa’s opening pair came out guns blazing.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius raced to an unbeaten brilliant 53 off 39 that featured nine fours and a single six.

Pretorius shared an 86-run opening stand with Steve Stolk (37) and completed the chase in the company of David Teeger (10*).

Anesu Kamuriwo was Zimbabwe’s only wicket-taker. He took one wicket for 31 runs in six overs, one of which was a maiden.

SOUTH AFRICA U19: Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wk), Steve Stolk, David Teeger, Richard Seletswane, Dewan Marais, Juan James (c), Romashan Pillay, Riley Norton, Tristan Luus, Raeeq Daniels, Kwena Maphaka.

ZIMBABWE U19: Nathaniel Hlabangana, Panashe Taruvinga, Brandon Sunguro, Ronak Patel, Campbell Macmillan, Ryan Kamwemba (wk), Matthew Schonken (c), Newman Nyamhuri, Mashford Shungu, Anesu Kamuriwo, Ryan Simbi

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