Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter admits he is still a bit groggy after his marathon travel exploits from New Zealand to Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean.
But Walter got a nice pick-me-up when he saw Kwena Maphaka bowl for the first time “in the flesh” after picking the teenager in the squad for the T20 series against the West Indies, which starts on Friday (9pm SA time).
Maphaka is viewed a generational talent, a left-arm seamer with pace, swing and that mongrel required to to be star.
The 18-year-old Maphaka was part of the ICC Under-19 World Cups squads in 2023 and 2024. He played a starring role in the 2024 event on home soil, earning the Player-of-the-Tournament award with a haul of 21 wickets at a ridiculous average of 9.71.
He also made his domestic T20 debut for the Lions and Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League earlier this year.
Present and Future!✨
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) August 22, 2024
Up and coming cricket star, Kwena Maphaka had his first training session with the Proteas team ahead of their 1st T20i against West Indies tomorrow!🏏![CDATA[]]>🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt#SAvWI pic.twitter.com/W9RAZIgNIP
“Yesterday was the first time in the flesh,” said Walter.
“But I’ve watched plenty of footage, so it was good to see what I’ve seen on TV was exactly the same in reality.
“We’ve seen him bowl for the Lions and win games for them in the Super Over. He performed well at the U19 World Cup and ran out for Mumbai Indians at the IPL, so he’s done some incredible stuff for a young guy.
“And he seems to have a really cool perspective on it all ...
“While the performance may not have been there [at the IPL], there are not many schoolboys who can say that they have run out in front of the full Wankhede Stadium and have that as a reference point.”
That reference point may be needed over the next three matches if Maphaka gets a chance to play against a West Indies that was knocked out of the recent T20 World Cup by the South Africans.
The spotlight is going to be bright, Walter saying that the members of media “sometimes create a bit of pressure on young guys if they read a little bit”.
So, while Walter wants to help Maphaka develop as cricketer, he will also wants to help to keep his feet on the ground and create an environment where he can perform.
“My interactions [with Maphaka] in the past have shown me that he is a wonderfully calm guy. He has his head screwed on very well,” Walter said.
“For me, it is one part of the journey. This is just one part of performing best for South Africa whenever the opportunity does arise.
“Obviously he’s young, but it will be up to him and his support group – of which we are just one portion – to keep things in perspective.
“As you know, social media is also a strong person in this sphere of performance, especially with public figures.
“So, to keep him grounded, letting him know he is under no time pressures, we just need to assist him in terms of being ready.
“That journey and taking care of him as an individual is foremost, and we will be endeavouring to do that as best we can.”
@JohnGoliath82