Magical Maphaka Six-For Puts SA U19s Into WC Semis

POTCHEFSTROOM: Kwena Maphaka helped South Africa storm into the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 semi-finals by claiming an astonishing six wickets in a thumping 119-run win over Sri Lanka in their final Super Six stage encounter at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Friday.

The pace sensation, who became the first bowler ever take four five-wicket hauls in Youth International cricket, recorded figures of six for 21 to blow away the Asian side for 113 in pursuit of 233 set by the hosts.

In taking all those wickets, Maphaka became the first bowler to claim three five-fors at the World Cup and moved top of the wicket-taking charts with 18 wickets. So good was his performance that it overshadowed the almost equally impressive four for 28 taken by Riley Norton.

And they fully justified their place amongst the top teams with yet another rampaging win, their third in succession as they aim to peak at the right time.

Their batting on Friday was set up by Lhuan-dre Pretorius after he followed his unbeaten half-century in the previous game by striking an attacking 71 (77 balls, 10 fours) to get the Junior Proteas off to a flier.

The opener shared in a 63-run stand with Steve Stolk (22) at the top of the order, but the South Africans then dropped regular wickets and lost their way.

From 103 for one, they slipped to 133 for six, before some lower order runs by Romashan Pillay (27). Norton (41*) and Nqobani Mokoena (18*) got them to a respectable total.

Any hopes Sri Lanka may have had of chasing that target were dashed by the fifth over when Maphaka sent their top three packing for only 13 runs.

Dinura Kalupahana (19) and Hirun Kapurubandara (16) tried to arrest the slide, but after some brief resistance, they too were dislodged by the amazing Maphaka.

Norton then sunk into the middle order, before Maphaka returned to end the game and seal another good win.

SA U19 Men’s Squad – ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024

Juan James (captain, Western Province), Raeeq Daniels (Western Province), Tristan Luus (Dolphins), Kwena Maphaka (Lions), Dewan Marias (Easterns), Nqobani Mokoena (Dolphins), Riley Norton (Boland), Romashan Pillay (Dolphins), Sipho Potsane (Lions), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Titans), Richard Seletswane (Lions), Steve Stolk (Titans), David Teeger (Lions), Oliver Whitehead (Western Province) and Ntando Zuma (KwaZulu-Natal Inland).

SA U19 Itinerary

Group Stage matches

Friday, 19 January – 10:00

South Africa U19 beat West Indies U19 by 31 runs – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

Tuesday, 23 January – 10:00

South Africa U19 lost to England U19 by 36 runs (DLS Method) – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

Saturday, 27 January – 10:00

South Africa U19 beat Scotland U19 by 7 wickets – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

Super Six Stage matches

Wednesday, 31 January – 10:00

South Africa U19 beat Zimbabwe U19 by 9 wickets – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

Friday, 02 February – 10:00

South Africa U19 beat Sri Lanka U19 by 119 runs – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

ENDS

Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications

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