Raeeq Daniels has been authorized by the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 Event Technical Committee to take Martin Khumalo’s spot in the South Africa team. All-round bowler Raeeq Daniels was picked as a replacement when Khumalo was forced out of South Africa’s opening game against the West Indies because of a hamstring injury.
Before a player is formally added to the squad, the Event Technical Committee must provide its consent for the replacement. Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager – Cricket and Chair of the ETC), Wanele Mngomezulu (Host Tournament Director), Sarah Edgar (IBC Representative), and Samuel Badree (Independent Representative) make up the Event Technical Committee of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024.
Kwena Maphaka’s outstanding effort helped South Africa get off to a winning start in the multi-team competition as they defeated West Indies by 31 runs in Potchefstroom. The Proteas had to rally after West Indies captain Stephan Pascal won the toss and chose to bowl first, leaving his team on the verge of a historic victory until a spectacular blow from Jewel Andrew (130).
South Africa was in the lead thanks to Lhuan-Dre Pretorius’ fast start, even with the early loss of Steve Stolk (5). But in the middle overs, the West Indies spinners gained control, and Pretorius’s stay came to an end thanks to a stunning catch from Nathan Sealy.
That meant that in order to keep the youthful Proteas in the battle, David Teeger had to act as an anchor. Oliver Whitehead (26 off 35) provided solid assistance for him as he scored 44 off 98 balls, helping the hosts reach 145/4.
But Sealy’s two-wicket blow in the 35th over put the West Indies back in control. To bring South Africa up to a fighting total, Dewan Marais and Juan James needed to form a fighting partnership. With captain James keeping up the tempo at the other end with 47, Marais’ confident 38-ball 65 forced the hosts to retreat and they managed to record a valiant 285/9.
West Indies’ chase got off to a worrying start when they lost their top three players in the first three overs. Kwena Maphaka used the ball to deal the first harm. Riley Norton quickly supported him in his efforts, as the Caribbean side lost half of their team by the 10-over point.
That’s when Jewel Andrew’s true nature became apparent. West Indies were able to stay in the game thanks to Andrew’s century, which included 11 fours and three sixes while Sealy gave a reliable hand at the other end. But South Africa capitalized on a mishap, dismissing Sealy and cutting West Indies to 190/6.
With his beautiful strokeplay, Andrew persisted from the opposite end, keeping West Indies in the hunt. It appeared that the West Indies had a chance to pull off a heist as long as Andrew was in the midst.
But the players who took wickets in the first Powerplay, Riley Norton and Maphaka, ended up saving South Africa. The Proteas were on the verge of victory when the pair claimed back-to-back wickets, with Andrew falling to Norton for a stunning 130. With a magnificent 5/38 in the 41st over, Maphaka completed the formalities.
In Potchefstroom, South Africa lost their subsequent match to England by a score of 36 runs (DLS method). On January 27, they play Scotland at the same location.
Squad for the 2024 South Africa U19 World Cup:
David Teeger, Raeeq Daniels, Juan James, Sipho Potsane, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Richard Seletswane, Oliver Whitehead, Steve Stolk, Ntando Zuma, Kwena Maphaka, Dewan Marias, Riley Norton, Nqobani Mokoena, Romashan Pillay, and Steve Stolk
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