The Proteas may have lost yet another high-quality fast bowler to injury for the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan, but they are also set to unleash a new tearaway.
Anrich Nortjé’s return to international cricket will have to wait a few more weeks after the ‘Uitenhage Express’ suffered a broken toe.
It has, however, opened the door for Kwena Maphaka’s maiden ODI call-up.
The Pakistanis have already seen Maphaka up close in the opening T20I at Kingsmead earlier in the week.
It was a frightening sight, with the teenage left-arm seamer reaching speeds in excess of 150km/h.
“We’ve seen in the T20s a young, upcoming fast bowler who’s bowling quick,” Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter explained yesterday.
“He gives us a left-arm option, which is always a great point of difference to have. So, from that point of view, that’s why we want to include him.
“And obviously, he’s been identified as a high-potential cricketer for South Africa, so to give him little bits of opportunity to be part of the group – but also to play is obviously important.
“We haven’t played a lot of 50-over cricket, so to create 10 opportunities for him, it could take a long time. So, we want to jump on whenever we get that chance to do that.”
The lengthy injury list also includes Gerald Coetzee and Wiaan Mulder, which has allowed Andile Phehlukwayo to retain his place in the ODI squad after playing in the last series against Ireland in the UAE.
Phehlukwayo has been in solid batting form since moving to the Titans, with two half-centuries in the last three matches.
“Andile did reasonably well in the UAE. He brings experience. He’s played well in four-day cricket for the Titans, so it’s good to see his batting progressing back to where I know what he is capable of,” Walter said.
“From that point of view, I want him to be consistent, really, from an opportunities point of view, and still showing faith in Andile.
“I want him to still play his best cricket for South Africa. Of course, if he doesn’t, then we cross that bridge when it arrives.
“But for now, just to include him in the squad... There are a couple of all-rounders that are not available, and that also impacts his selection.”
The upcoming ODI series against Pakistan will form part of the Proteas’ preparations for next February’s ICC Champions Trophy.
Walter will only have this series and a tri-series next year to formulate his ODI plans.
He, however, is mindful of the fact that Proteas Test side are also bidding to reach the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next year.
He is pleased, though, that the Test stars return to white-ball cricket after achieving success against Sri Lanka and are in a positive frame of mind.
“I’ve obviously touched base with them individually to understand what they need,” Walter said.
“It’s a five-day period. It’s not like it’s two weeks. So, it’s a short turnaround. I think the mental impact of a Test match is quite significant.
“It’s training and those games were tight, and the last one was very tight.
“Going into the fifth day, you used a lot of mental energy to get to that point.
“So, just allowing the guys to refresh mentally, and then decide what they want to do with their training.
“I think all of them will do some form of training before we actually get together on the 15th (December, Sunday), and then we’ll get straight into it. They certainly battle hardened now, which is great.”
Proteas ODI Squad
Temba Bavuma (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.