South Africa Call Up Teenage Pacer Kwena Maphaka For Second Test Against Sri Lanka – News18
Last Updated:
Maphaka, 18, has played three Twenty20 Internationals but has yet to feature in a test
Kwena Maphaka of South Africa (X)
South Africa have called up teenage fast bowler Kwena Maphaka to their squad for the second test against Sri Lanka starting in Gqeberha on Thursday after seamer George Coetzee was ruled out with a groin injury.
Maphaka, 18, has played three Twenty20 Internationals but has yet to feature in a test and will vie with experienced seamer Dane Paterson and spinner Senuran Muthusamy to replace Coetzee in the side.
South Africa won the first test in Durban by 233 runs, a fourth victory in a row to keep them in contention for a place in the ICC Test World Championship final at Lord’s in June.
The result lifted South Africa to second place in the WTC table, which is calculated on average points earned.
With their remaining three matches to be played at home – the second Test against Sri Lanka followed by two against Pakistan – South Africa are well-placed to qualify for the final at Lord’s in London next June if they carry on winning.
“That’s always been one of our goals as a team,” said South African captain Temba Bavuma. “The conversation has always been there. We’ve not been loud about it but that conversation will probably become more alive now.”
The second Test starts at Gqeberha on Thursday.
South Africa Squad:
Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Reuters)
