Kwena Maphaka
Personal information
Full name
Kwena Tshegofatso Maphaka
Born (2006-04-08) 8 April 2006 (age 17)
Johannesburg, South Africa
BattingLeft-handed
BowlingLeft-arm medium
RoleBowler
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2023-presentSouth Africa A
2023-presentSouth Africa Emerging Players
2024Paarl Royals
2023-presentDP World Lions
Source: Cricinfo, 7 February 2024

Kwena Maphaka (born 8 April 2006) is a South African cricketer who plays age-group cricket representing South Africa national under-19 cricket team.[1] He made his First-class cricket debut for South Africa A in June 2023 against Sri Lanka A during their tour of Sri Lanka.[2]

Career

In June 2023, South Africa A toured Sri Lanka for two First-class and three List A matches. Maphaka was not named in the initial squad, but then he replaced the injured Lutho Sipamla.[3] Soon, he made his first-class debut in the first unofficial test match on June 12, 2023, at the age of 17.[4] He took 2 wickets in the first innings and scalped the wicket of Sri Lanka A's captain in the second innings.[2]

Maphaka made his List A debut on 6 October 2023 during the Division 2 of the 2023 CSA One-Day Cup. He played for the South Africa Emerging Players side against Limpopo, he took 3 wickets to help his side win the match.[5] South Africa Emerging won the division 2 final against Free State Knights, Maphaka had a tough day as he conceded 65 runs without taking a wicket.[6]

In December 2023, he was named in South Africa national under-19 squad for the 2024 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.[7] In the first match against West Indies, he took a match winning five-wicket haul, for which he got the player of the match award.[8] Maphaka shined for South Africa in the Super six stage, as he took five-wicket and six-wicket hauls against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka respectively. He took a record three five-wicket hauls in the tournament, highest by any player in a single Under-19 World Cup tournament.[9][10] He then went on to take 3 wickets against India in the semi-finals in a losing cause. Maphaka ended his campaign with 21 wickets(second most in a single tournament) at an average of 9.71.[11]

In August 2023, Maphaka was signed by Paarl Royals for the 2023–24 SA20 season.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Kwena Maphaka Profile - Cricket Player South Africa | Stats, Records, Video". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b "1st Unofficial Test Match, South Africa A tour of Sri Lanka at Pallekele, Jun 12-14 2023". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  3. ^ Gcwabe, Ongama. "17-year-old Kwena Maphaka reaps rewards with SA A call-up". Independent Online. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  4. ^ Adams, Zaahier. "EXCLUSIVE: It was just crazy, crazy, says teenager Kwena Maphaka on his SA 'A' debut". Independent Online. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  5. ^ "20th Match, CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge Division Two at Pretoria, October 6 2023". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  6. ^ "SA Emerging win Division 2 One-Day Cup". sacricketmag.com. 20 October 2023.
  7. ^ "SA U19S SQUAD NAMED FOR ICC U19 MEN'S CRICKET WORLD CUP". Cricket South Africa. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Jewel Andrew's dazzling ton in vain as Kwena Maphaka drives South Africa to a thrilling win over West Indies – U19 World Cup 2024". Cricket Times. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  9. ^ "South Africa pacer Kwena Maphaka rescripts U-19 World Cup history books". ANI News. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Record books re-written as Maphaka concludes Under 19 World Cup campaign". ICC. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  11. ^ "ICC Men's U19 WC: South Africa's Kwena Maphaka, the bowling prodigy destined for bigger things". The Statesman. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  12. ^ "MAPHAKA 'SUPER STOKED' FOR BETWAY SA20 OPPORTUNITY". SA20. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
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