SA U19 back in action against England U19.
5 SA U19 Players to look out for.
From Stephen Cook, Morne van Wyk, Graeme Smith, Quinton de Kock to Lizaad Williams, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka and many more that came before them, the SA U19 side continues to produce a lot of quality and exciting cricketers. While not everyone makes it to the senior team, a good number still contribute to domestic cricket. For people who love and enjoy junior cricket, each U19 cycle brings a lot of excitement. The joys of watching a player go from U13/U15 to U19, and eventually the Proteas, are unmatched.
The previous cycle has given South African cricket players like; Kwena Maphaka, who is now capped in all 3 formats, and guys like Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewan Marais, Tristan Luus, who have made an impact in domestic cricket so far. We are entering a cycle that started with an Emerging U17 side being sent to Zimbabwe to play a Youth ODI series. The squad was announced and toured to Zim around September and the boys dominated the whole series. I know you are probably thinking, “But Zim...” well, do not even say it because the gap between U19 sides is normally smaller than the gap we see between senior teams. However, we may argue that this time the gap was not as small because the South African U17 Emerging side whitewashed Zimbabwe at home, with multiple players doing very well.
Let me fast forward to the Khaya Majola week, arguably the most important week in the U17/U19 calendar. Khaya Majola week 2024 was perhaps a below average week for most people because of the number of runs scored in the week. However, it might also be a sign that there may have been a drop in quality of batsmanship in the current group of youngsters.
Moving on to Cubs week, arguably the second most important week for schoolboys and those who are no longer school boys but are still within the age bracket. Cubs week was different in that the runs were plenty as most modern cricket fans would to prefer.
At the conclusion of Cubs week, two squads to face England U19 in a youth test and a Youth ODI series were announced. Like every other U19 cycle, there were questions around a number of selections and none selections. Selection will always cause a lot of debates among fans and supporters. With that being said, I believe it is important that everyone is cognizant of the fact that selection is not linear. Being a coach myself, I know that there are a number of factors that need to be considered when picking a team or a squad.
In a couple of days from now, a new group of U19s will be taking on England and in any group, there are always a few players that catch everyone’s attention. Those players will always differ because this is something that is mostly subjective.
The series starts with a Youth ODI series on the 17th of January in Cape Town.
My 5 players to look out for in the YODI series are as follows:
BENJAMIN HANSEN – The 18-year-old is a quality Wicket keeper batter from Western Province. Benni is not only a quality batter and wicket keeper, but a quality leader too and he has shown that a number of times. He was announced as the cricketer of the week at the 2023 Khaya Majola week. He was the SA Schools team 2023 captain and was awarded the captaincy again for 2024, After leading his side to a tournament victory at the 2024 Khaya Majola week, this too after losing his father. The classy right-handed batter will be key for the Junior Proteas against England U19.
JASON ROWLES – Jason is one of those players who help any side when it comes to balancing the side. He is a top order batter, who can bat in the middle and can bowl some good slow left arm spin. He is one of the allrounders in the side and his bowling will be as key as his batting. Jason had a good Cubs week and is one the batters who scored a century. He ended Cubs week as leading run scorer and was a member of the U17 emerging side that toured Zimbabwe.
SEMAL PILLAY – The classy left-handed top order batter from KZN is someone with an appetite for runs. Whether he bats 3 or will open is yet to be seen but, wherever he bats will be important for the side. If he has a great series at the top of the order, the team could very well win the series. Semal finished Cubs week as the second leading run scorer after Jason Rowles. He is also one of the batters who scored a century at Cubs week.
NTANDOYENKOSI SONI – This name may very well come across as a shocker to many but Ntando had been in the squad as a replacement just before the U19 world cup. While the last two series (Khaya Majola and Cubs week) have not brought him much wickets, he remains a quality seamer and has been bowling well. He will be out to prove his class against England and I am expecting him to do well. Sometimes, in cricket you bowl so well and still not get much success. Soni bowled really well at Khaya Majola week in 2023 and took 5 wickets in the T20 match played by the SA schools' side against the SA Colts side at St Georges Park in Gqeberha.
NQOBANI MOKOENA – A player with world cup experience, Nqobani played for South Africa at the U19 world cup and has since been doing well with the ball. He offers a power hitting option with the bat as well. Nqobani has the ability to take wickets and has shown it at Khaya Majola week and Cubs week.
The squad is made up of very good players and each one of them has the talent to win matches for their teams but, the above 5 are the players I think will play a massive role in South Africa winning the series.
My YODI XI would be
S Pillay
A Lagadien
B Hansen(wk,C)
J Rowles
P James
D Bosman
B Mbatha
N Mokoena
R Daniels
N Soni
E Kitshini
The England U19s tour to South Africa will be wrapped up with a Youth test series just after the Youth ODI. It will be interesting to see how these young players adjust to being out on the field for more than one day even though, it will not be entirely to them. The only difference will be that they will not be playing a new game daily but will be playing the same match over a couple of days.