Maphaka Injury Scare Worries South Africa
Another worry facing South Africa regarding its cricket camp is the pending examination of teenage fast-bowler Kwena Maphaka over a hamstring problem just in time to face Pakistan in the high profile series of Tests. The 19ymoan man, rated as one of the most promising in the country, had some pains during bowling at a local match between the Lions and Western Province last week.
Maphaka had first walked out of the field after 5.5 overs in the first innings, and this had sounded alarm bells. Luckily, there was nothing apparent on the scans, and he came back to open with the bowling in the second innings, in which he shone with a forerunner of 3 to 26 in 10 overs, to assist his team to a stupendous win by an innings and 134 runs.
That good performance notwithstanding, Cricket South Africa has planned a precautionary MRI test to guarantee that he is perfectly fit prior to the strenuous international schedule. As South Africa prepares to play two Tests, three T20Is and three ODIs in Pakistan and a home series against India, Maphaka is working under scrutiny.
The left-arm pacer has already made his mark in his pace, aggressiveness, and wicket-taking despite his relative inexperience—only six first-class matches and two tests—at only six years old. The fact that he is included in the touring national teams of South Africa is an indication that the selectors are keen on fast-tracking him into the next generation of Proteas fast bowlers.
The fright is timely, as on October 12, South Africa starts defending the World Test Championships in Lahore. Although Maphaka’s availability is questionable, the team’s management will avoid jeopardizing his long-term fitness.
South Africa squad for Pakistan Tests:
Aiden Markram (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj (second Test only), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen and Kyle Verreynne.
In the meantime, South Africa is optimistic that the scans would show that there was minimal discomfort. The Proteas cannot afford to lose their up-and-coming star when senior bowlers are away to Namibia T20I and the team is deprived of their captain, Aiden Markram, who is only stepping up to the fray.
The post Maphaka Injury Scare Worries South Africa appeared first on Ten Sports TV.
