It’s not often that one of the premier power-hitters in T20 cricket is outfoxed by a teenager, but that’s exactly what happened when Kwena Maphaka dismissed Heinrich Klaasen in the SA20 in Paarl on Monday.
The Proteas stalwart Klassen batting for Durban’s Super Giants had hit Maphaka for a four earlier in the over before the moment of brilliance from the 18-year-old.
Hurtling in, in the pink of Paarl Royals, Maphaka decided to subtly drop his pace and Klaasen was early on the shot and scooped it straight back to the left-arm quick for a neat caught and bowled.
The dangerous Klaasen was gone for just 13, as the visitors could only manage 143/7 batting first. It ultimately resulted in a tense win for Paarl Royals, as Mapahka returned excellent figures of 2/22.
“I was really itching to put in a good performance. Had not been performing too well, wanted to put up a good performance for the boys and the team,” Maphaka said.
“I have bowled to him (Klaasen) a few times in the nets. That (the slower ball) seemed to work. I probably trained that since I was 12 years old, have it down nicely, so I tried to bowl it, and I was pleased it came off.”
Maphaka could be a dark horse for selection for the Proteas in the Champions Trophy next month.
This comes after first choice fast bowler Anrich Nortje was ruled out of the competition through injury. His likely replacement Gerald Coetzee has been seen as the obvious replacement, but he too was ruled out of the SA20 with injury.
It means the Proteas selectors may have to look beyond their tried and tested before they board that plane to Pakistan, and Maphaka may just be improving his slim chances of making the team.