Former fast bowler Roger Telemachus, who played 37 one day internationals and three T20 internationals for South Africa from 1998 to 2007 and who was part of the famous 438 game against Australia in 2006 is very excited about the inclusion of young Kwena Maphaka in the current team that is playing Pakistan in a three match ODI series.
I’m very excited. About 12 months ago he played for the Lions U19 team against my WP U19 team in Grahamstown and look now. We must look after him. After staring at the U19 World Cup, he was given a chance at T20 level and now included in the one- day team.
Maphaka has also been included in the test team for the two match series against Pakistan as well. Although he might not play, Telemachus says that he is on the right track:
He might not play in the test series, I think he is definitely on the right track. He will learn. He will also get faster as he gets stronger. There’s also a bit of arrogance about him, like a typical fast bowler.
Maphaka did not play in the first one day international in Paarl which Pakistan won by three wickets but with two games in the series left, there is a good chance he might still make his debut in this format.
The second one-day international will take place at World Sports Betting Newlands on Thursday December 19 followed by the annual Pink Day and final ODI on Sunday, December 22 at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
Meanwhile Captain Temba Bavuma who did not play in the first match after being rested is likely to return to the starting XI.
Coach Rob Walter says they are pleased with the squad and will be using this series to fine tune their preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy.
Overall, we are very pleased with this squad. This series will be crucial in fine-tuning our combinations ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy next year, and we are looking forward to the challenge.
Proteas ODI squad against Pakistan
- Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions),
- Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
- Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province)
- Marco Jansen (Renault North West Dragons)
- Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans)
- Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
- Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions)
- Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans)
- David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
- Andile Phehlukwayo (Momentum Multiply Titans)
- Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions)
- Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors)
- Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions)
- Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans)
- Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions)
ODI Series
✅Tuesday, 17 December at 14:00
South Africa vs Pakistan - Boland Park, Paarl – Pakistan won by three wickets
✅ Thursday, 19 December at 14:00
South Africa vs Pakistan - World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
✅ Sunday, 22 December at 14:00 – Pink Day
Africa vs Pakistan - DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
