Leading South Africa’s speed attack in the opening Test match against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo is a job that few players his age ever play, and Kwena Maphaka is only 19 years old. The left-arm quick will take the new ball as the star, not as a backup, since several of the nation’s best bowlers are either rested or unavailable. It’s a daring decision that portends a shift in leadership in South African cricket.
In a star-studded attack that included Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Wiaan Mulder, Maphaka made his Test debut against Pakistan earlier this year at Newlands. He appeared to be a newbie learning his craft as he bowled 21.2 overs and claimed 3 for 90. Now, however, with Lungi Ngidi just showing up for the second Test, Mulder concentrating on his new position at No. 3, and Rabada and Jansen missing the Zimbabwe series, Maphaka finds himself in the lead.
“With Lungi not being here for the first Test, Kwena’s going to lead the bowling attack,” Conrad said in the lead up to the first Test. “As a 19-year-old, when you get given that responsibility, it doesn’t only speak volumes for how highly you are rated, but also the calibre and the mentality that he possesses. He’s a young buck that shows maturity way beyond his years.”
Since this two-match series isn’t included in the World Test Championship, Conrad has a great chance to put the upcoming generation to the test. The team has five players without caps. Codi Yusuf, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Dewald Brevis will all make their Test debuts. However, this is more than just a trial for Maphaka. It serves as a testing ground.
“We’ve obviously got to be very smart in identifying when we put him out in the shop window and I think this would be a great time for him,” Conrad said. “In Zimbabwe, in Test cricket specifically, he is not the third quick behind KG and Marco necessarily but he is the main dog. That responsibility will grow massively.”
Maphaka will be backed by Mulder, Yusuf, and Corbin Bosch — a veteran on the domestic circuit despite having just one Test cap — along with spin from Keshav Maharaj, who is also standing in as captain after Temba Bavuma was ruled out through injury. But even with support around him, all eyes will be on Maphaka to set the tone.
“It’s all about being patient. Just like you need to be patient with batters, you need to be patient with bowlers as well,” Conrad said. “We’re not going to see the best of Kwena in the next couple of months, but these are all the building blocks so that we can see the best of Kwena in say three or four years’ time.”
The journey of Maphaka is only getting started. He has only played in four first-class matches, including his Test debut. He began playing cricket in the first division on a South Africa has already made waves in the SA20 and IPL, went on a visit to Sri Lanka last year, and is a member of the T20I team for the tri-series that follows these Test matches.
South Africa is placing a lot of money on Maphaka despite his youth, and if he finds his rhythm, this series might be remembered as the time a star really took off.
