Kwena Maphaka made a reputation for himself on the fifteenth version of ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup as he produced a bunch of gorgeous performances of the South African aspect.
The younger quick bowler actually appears to have loads of uncooked potential, and was rapidly trending throughout social media as cricket lovers noticed the potential of a future star.
The left armer obtained rave opinions for his array of expertise and gorgeous yorkers that seem sure to set the 17-year-old on the trail in the direction of the Proteas senior staff within the close to future.
It’s now reported by extremely regarded cricket author Stuart Hess for TimesLive that he has taken up a high-profile contract with the Mumbai Indians within the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The 17-year-old is claimed to have already touched down in India after unexpectedly listening to in regards to the alternative, which apparently additionally happened with the assistance of his Gauteng Lions teammate Kagiso Rabada.
It stays to be seen what position Maphaka would possibly play with the Mumbai Indians, however some digging on social media suggests he may function back-up ‘net bowler’.
Kwena Maphaka was the participant of the event within the ICC U19 World Cup
The proficient quick bowler has additionally featured in three matches for the Lions within the CSA T20 Challenge this, and through a recent interview, he spoke of the ‘inswinger’ as his largest weapon too.
It’s a supply that he apparently mastered alongside Shukri Conrad, the present South Africa Test staff head coach.
“My parents tell me I picked up a cricket ball when I was two years old, playing garden cricket with my brother,” he commented.
“There were a lot of challenges in picking up cricket as a profession at such an early age. There’s the pressure of studies at school, the lure of other sports. I would also play hockey, rugby, tennis and athletics … but cricket is something I really enjoy and my passion for the sport has just driven me through all of the hurdles, distractions and other pitfalls.”
When he was younger, it was all about tempo for Maphaka. As he progressed, he picked up the finer expertise of tempo bowling, together with his trademark inswinger and unplayable yorkers.
The subsequent KG Rabada?
However, Maphaka maintains that his highest quality is aggression – one thing attribute of Kagiso Rabada too. Rabada and Maphaka got here by the identical faculty, St Stithians, and the duo possess very related attributes.
“It [aggression] is something that comes very naturally for me,” said Maphaka. “I’m a really aggressive particular person at coronary heart. I believe it’s my largest attribute. But to be in contrast with somebody like KG [Rabada] is humbling.
“KG is an inspiration to a lot of people in South Africa and outside, just the way he’s gone about his cricket, the work he has done from such a young age. It’s something I am trying to take on board.”
