SA U-19 tour to Bangladesh
5 key players
South Africa is a country that has and still continues to produce talented cricketers. This is something a few people don’t really want to admit but it’s the truth. Whether we track back to Pre Isolation or just simply choose to focus on post isolation, when it comes to talent, South Africa is up there. We can then argue about whether our structures are producing quality or not.
Sometimes, people tend to confuse things when it comes to quality and talent. You’re born with talent and quality is what you become as you mature and work hard on your talent through proper development and nurturing. With all that being said, I’m not really here to discuss the two concepts and how they differ.
Coach Maketa and his men assembled at the high performance in Pretoria to prepare for what promises to be an exciting trip to Bangladesh. The last time our U19 boys toured to Bangladesh, it didn’t end well. New head coach, fairly new players and coaching staff, they’ll be looking to do much better than the previous side.
Bangladesh is a really good side when it comes to this level of the game. Their U-19 side is always one of the sides to beat and thus playing against them in preparation for a World Cup, could be a big plus for the boys.
The side is full of young, talented and exciting players but, there’s always one or two or even five players to look out for. These are players I think will need to play a massive role in the side for the team to win.
1.Romashan Pillay
I don’t know where he will bat but I know where I’d bat him. Anyway, Romashan, regardless of where he bats, will be very key. He’s a player with an appetite for runs, very disciplined in his approach and is a quality player of spin. He played well against Oman as well, scoring 2 x 50s.
2.Kwena Maphaka
One of the most exciting young seamers in the country if not the most exciting. Kwena has everything he needs in his arsenal to succeed on any pitch and he has recently added some SA A caps to his experience. Having played at the last World Cup and most recently playing for the A side, Kwena is in good position to lead the attack. Regardless of the number of seamers the team plays, Kwena will be crucial to the team’s wicket taking.
3.Liam Alder
One of 3 Slow left armers in the side. This is probably the one department where there’s very stiff competition. There’s Cubs week leading wicket taker, Sipho Potsane and young Eastern Province spinner, Esa Gangat who is also a quality left arm spinner. Based on experience, one can assume that Liam will get the nod even though he will not qualify for the next World Cup. His selection was to probably just add on the experience and to have the other two spinners learn a bit from him.
4.Richard Seletswane
A man who has dominated school boy cricket. We’ve not seen the best of him in the green and gold but, anyone who has seen this young man bat knows exactly what he’s capable of. The 50 over format will be a great opportunity for Richard to show his class.
5.Juan James
Another experienced player. Juan brings variation to the bowling attack and his leadership qualities. Also a quality middle order bay. He has also already made his first class debut which gives him some edge over the others.
Everyone in the squad is talented and anyone could, on their day, help the team to victory. However, it will be interesting to see how the team lines up and how it performs.
The team heads to Bangladesh and will play 5 Youth ODIs.
South Africa Under-19 squad for Bangladesh tour
1.Liam Alder (Warriors)
2.Esa Gangat (Eastern Province)
3.Thebe Gazide (Lions)
4.Beni Hansen (Western Province)
5.Juan James (Western Province)
6.Tristan Luus (Titans)
7.Kwena Maphaka (Lions)
8.Dewan Marais (Easterns)
9.Romashan Pillay (Dolphins)
10.Sipho Potsane (Lions)
11.Lhuandre Pretorius (Lions)
12.Richard Seletswane (Lions)
13.David Teeger (Lions)
14.Johnathan van Zyl (Tuskers)
15.Oliver Whitehead (Western Province)
Non-traveling reserves
•Martin Khumalo (Easterns)
•Riley Norton (Boland)
•Ntando Zuma (Tuskers)
Coaching Staff and Or Management
•Malibongwe Maketa (head coach)
•Blanche Conradie (Team manager)
•Thabang Kumalo (fielding coach)
•Paul Adams (consultant)
•Justin Sammons (batting coach)
•Rory Kleinveldt (bowling coach)
•Curtly Diesel (strength and conditioning coach)
•Sheenagh Jordaan (physiotherapist)
•Kyle Southgate (performance analyst)