After being selected for South Africa’s second-string team to play a Twenty20 International in Namibia on October 11 and their white-ball teams to tour Pakistan later this month, fast bowler Kwena Maphaka is undergoing evaluation due to an injury he acquired during a domestic tournament.
In a four-day game against Western Province at Newlands last week, Kwena Maphaka, 19, played for his provincial team, the Lions. In the first innings, he bowled 5.5 overs before being forced off the pitch due to hamstring pain. After a scan showed no significant damage, he was brought back to take the new ball in the second inning. He spearheaded the Lions’ push to triumph by an innings and 134 runs with a 3 for 26 in 10 overs. Now, before a busy season, he will have a preemptive MRI to ensure his fitness.
Over the next two and a half months, Kwena Maphaka is anticipated to participate in South Africa’s international engagements, which include tours of India and Pakistan.
However, there has been discussion about making sure he gets more time in the domestic game, especially the four-day competition. Only six first-class games, including two Test matches, have been played by him thus far. He was signed by Durban’s Super Giants for the fourth season of the SA20 and has also played in three ODIs and thirteen T20Is for South Africa.
To open the new stadium in Windhoek, South Africa will play Namibia in a special Twenty20 International on Saturday. A number of frontline players, including skipper Aiden Markram, have been ruled out of the cross-border trip due to the competition, which takes place the day before the Test team starts the World Test Championship title defence in Pakistan. Donovan Ferreira will captain South Africa and guide Quinton de Kock in his return to international competition. Last month, De Kock put his ODI retirement on hold and became eligible for international cricket.
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