Author: csa

JOHANNESBURG. – A brilliant five-wicket haul by Kwena Maphaka bowled South Africa Under-19 into the tri-series final after they overcame Afghanistan by five wickets in their latest outing at Old Edwardians Cricket Club in Johannesburg on Monday.

The 17-year-old Lions’ sensation sent down nine overs, two of which were maidens, and claimed five for a miserly 25 to help blow away the visitors for 139 in 45 overs.

He was ably aided by Nqobani Mokoena (3/43) before the junior Proteas knocked off the runs with nearly 25 overs to spare – securing a big win and a big boost to their net run rate as they moved ahead of Afghanistan to qualify for Wednesday’s final.

It was also the first win of the competition for Malibongwe Maketa‘s side after they lost their previous encounter against the same opponents and also fell to consecutive defeats to unbeaten India.

They will now take plenty of heart and confidence going into the decider against the log leaders as the teams wind down their preparations for the ICC u19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 that begins in Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom on 19 January.

The South Africans were good from the get-go in their latest outing, winning the toss, bowling first, and striking in the first over when Maphaka had Hassan Eisakhil caught behind for four from the fourth delivery.

Mokoena then removed Jamshid Zadran (6) the same way in the second over, before Usman Khan Shinwari (1) fell to speedster Maphaka in the third over, leaving the score on 13 for three.

After no wickets fell in the fourth over, Sohail Khan Zurmati had his stumps flattened by Maphaka in the fifth to put SA well on top.

Afghanistan captain Numan Shah finally arrested the slide and put on 61 with Rahimullah Zurmati for the fifth wicket, with both batters hitting patient 35s to take the score up to 86 for four.

But Juan James (1/17) finally broke the stand in the 24^th over and the rest of the innings then ambled to a close with wickets falling regularly as the away side was dismissed with five overs to spare.

Steve Stolk‘s aggressive 40 off 21 balls at the start of the chase – an innings that included four sixes and two fours – put the hosts in the ascendancy early on.

They progressed nicely to 69 for one after the early loss of Lhuan-dré Pretorius (11).

And despite then losing four more wickets in Stolk, captain David Teeger (13), Richard Seletswane (8), and Dewan Marais (2) to slip to 95 for five, Oliver Whitehead (33*) and Riley Norton (17*) strung together a 45-run stand to take them home in 25.4 overs.

South Africa are drawn in Group B for the World Cup, alongside England, Scotland, and the West Indies, who they begin their campaign against at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on 19 January.

SA U19 Men’s Squad – Tri-series and ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024

David Teeger (captain, Lions), Esosa Aihevba (Lions), Juan James (Western Province), Martin Khumalo (Easterns), Kwena Maphaka (Lions), Dewan Marias (Easterns), Nqobani Mokoena (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Riley Norton (Boland), Romashan Pillay (KwaZula-Natal Coastal), Sipho Potsane (Lions), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Titans), Richard Seletswane (Lions), Steve Stolk (Titans), Oliver Whitehead (Western Province), and Ntando Zuma (KwaZulu-Natal Inland).

Youth Tri-Series Fixtures

Friday, 29 December 

India u19 beat Afghanistan u19 by 6 wickets – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg

Sunday, 31 December 

South Africa u19 lost to Afghanistan u19 by 47 runs – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg

Tuesday, 02 January 

South Africa u19 lost to India u19 by 7 wickets – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg

Thursday, 04 January 

India u19 beat Afghanistan u19 by 9 wickets – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg

Saturday, 06 January 

South Africa u19 lost to India u19 by 6 wickets – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg

Monday, 08 January 

South Africa u19 beat Afghanistan u19 by 5 wickets – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg

Wednesday, 10 January 

Final: South Africa u19 v India u19 – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg

JOHANNESBURG.- Steve Stolk led an improved batting display by South Africa Under-19 (SA u19) but it was still not enough as they slipped to a third defeat in three after their latest outing against India in the tri-series taking place in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The right-hander finally converted a start into a half-century by striking an impressive 69 off 66 balls (5 fours, 5 sixes) and helping the hosts post 256 after they lost the toss and were asked to bat first at Old Edwardians Cricket Club.

However, India’s response was once again decisive. Driven by captain Uday Saharan’s century (112 off 153 balls, 10 fours) and an unbeaten 76 (84 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) from Priyanshu Moliya they chased down the target comfortably with eight deliveries and six wickets to spare.

It was their fourth win in as many games as they continued their dominance of the series, which is serving as preparation for the two teams, together with Afghanistan, for the ICC u19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 that begins on 19 January in the country.

The home side, who next play Afghanistan in a must-win clash on Monday, will be desperate for their first win in that game, but also take plenty of encouragement from what was possibly their best display in the event thus far.

After losing form batter Lhuan-dré Pretorius early for 16, Stolk built on his 25 and 46 in the previous two matches by putting on 81 with skipper David Teeger (17) for the second wicket.

The pair took the score to 103 before both fell in quick succession to pick of the bowlers Musheer Khan (5/38). A cluster of wickets fell at that stage with the home side suddenly finding themselves at 121 for five.

Dewan Marais (32) and Romashan Pillay (24) then led an initial recovery with Riley Norton (32) and Sipho Potsane (31) adding more late runs to lift the South Africans to their biggest total of the tournament thus far.

Lions’ sensation Kwena Maphaka (2/49) put the hosts on top with an early double blow that left the Indians in a huge hole on two for two in the first over.

But Khan (41) and Saharan combined for a stand of 90, which was followed by the captain and Moliya putting on 133 for the fourth wicket to completely take the game away from SA as India crossed the line in the penultimate over to seal a six-wicket win.

South Africa are drawn in Group B for the World Cup, alongside England, Scotland, and West Indies, who they begin their campaign against at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on 19 January.

SA u19 Men’s Squad – Tri-series and ICC u19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024

David Teeger (captain, Lions), Esosa Aihevba (Lions), Juan James (Western Province), Martin Khumalo (Easterns), Kwena Maphaka (Lions), Dewan Marias (Easterns), Nqobani Mokoena (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Riley Norton (Boland), Romashan Pillay (KwaZula-Natal Coastal), Sipho Potsane (Lions), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Titans), Richard Seletswane (Lions), Steve Stolk (Titans), Oliver Whitehead (Western Province), and Ntando Zuma (KwaZulu-Natal Inland).

Youth Tri-series Fixtures

Friday, 29 December 

India u19 beat Afghanistan u19 by 6 wickets – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg

Sunday, 31 December 

South Africa u19 lost to Afghanistan u19 by 47 runs – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg

Tuesday, 02 January 

South Africa u19 lost to India u19 by 7 wickets – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg

Thursday, 04 January 

India u19 beat Afghanistan u19 by 9 wickets – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg

Saturday, 06 January 

South Africa u19 lost to India u19 by 6 wickets – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg

Monday, 08 January 

South Africa u19 v Afghanistan u19 – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg

Wednesday, 10 January 

Final – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg

With only 30 days to go until the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup commences in South Africa, attention is set to turn to the future stars of the game once more, and excitement is building before the action begins on 19 January.

The schedule for the event was announced earlier this month, and will see five cities in the Rainbow Nation hosting 41 matches across 24 days of thrilling competition; Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Potchefstroom, East London and Benoni – the venue selected to host the semi-finals and final.

The most exciting young talent on the planet will make their introduction onto the world stage at the event, which has a strong reputation for having forged the careers of many icons of today’s game.

As well as laying the foundations for the participating players to announce themselves on the world stage, the 15^th edition of the event will also celebrate future generations through a vibrant series of engagements with schoolchildren across the host provinces.

Engaging with a broad network of schools, the ICC in partnership with Cricket South Africa will provide thousands of schoolchildren with the opportunity to attend ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup matches, feature as flag bearers and anthem kids, as well as joining in with the next generation of superstars in cricket clinics with the participating teams.

These activities form part of the well-established Cricket 4 Good programme, the ICC’s global community outreach programme, aimed at leveraging the vast power and reach of cricket to transform the lives of children and families worldwide.

The programme, also supported by UNICEF, includes educational workshops as part of the cricket clinics, equipping children with valuable life skills sessions to aid development.

In addition, the coveted U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup will be showcased around schools in the four provinces as part of the Trophy Tour, launched last week at international fixtures in Johannesburg and Gqeberha, and which will enable young fans to get up close to the prize that will be up for grabs at the final on 11 February.

Over the course of the event, the 41 matches will be free to enter, meaning fans and families alike can enjoy the festival atmosphere of matchdays and witness the best young players in the world.

ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley commented: “We are thrilled to have schoolchildren front and centre of the action during the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. The event has long celebrated the new generations of cricket players and fans that lie ahead of us, and we’re sure by providing a series of vibrant and unique opportunities to young fans through the Cricket 4 Good programme that we can strengthen the future of the sport in the country.”

Reflecting on the upcoming event, Player of the Tournament from the last edition in 2022, South Africa international Dewald Brevis, added: “It’s a really special tournament. As a player, it’s the first taste you get of international competition and I have a lot of fond memories from competing in 2022.

“It’s quite a stage, and is the perfect springboard for any young player to launch their career and get noticed. As the sport moves into an exciting new phase of fearless cricket, we’ll certainly see a lot of talented individuals on show from all of the participating nations.”

The full schedule of matches at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup can be downloaded from the ICC’s Online Media Zone (click here). All matches will begin at 10:00am local time.

 

 

JOHANNESBURG.- Cricket South Africa (CSA) has today confirmed a 50-over tri-series between South Africa Under-19 (SA u19), Afghanistan u19, and India u19 later this month.  

 

The series, which will serve as the final preparation ahead of the ICC u19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024, consists of seven matches to be played at Old Edwardians Cricket Club in Johannesburg from 29 December – 10 January. 

 

The hosts, who are drawn in Group B alongside England, Scotland, and West Indies, will get their World Cup campaign underway on 19 January against the West Indies at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.  

 

Head of High-Performance Grant van Velden commented: “CSA would like to extend our gratitude to the cricket boards of India and Afghanistan for their cooperation and commitment to ensuring the tri-series goes ahead.” 

 

“These games are a crucial component of our preparation for the World Cup. They provide our young cricketers with the perfect platform to test their skills against competitive opponents in India and Afghanistan. The series will also serve as a final opportunity for our players to fine-tune their game ahead of the World Cup on home soil.” 

 

Youth Tri-series Fixtures

  

Friday, 29 December  

Afghanistan U19 v India U19 – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg 

  

Sunday, 31 December  

South Africa U19 v Afghanistan U19 – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg 

  

Tuesday, 02 January 

South Africa U19 v India U19 – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg 

 

Thursday, 04 January 

India U19 v Afghanistan U19 – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg 

  

Saturday, 06 January  

South Africa U19 v India U19 – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg 

  

Monday, 08 January 

South Africa U19 v Afghanistan U19 – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg 

 

Wednesday, 10 January 

Final – Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Johannesburg 

 

SA U19 Men’s Squad – Tri-Series and ICC U19 Men’s World Cup 2024

David Teeger (captain, Lions), Esosa Aihevba (Lions), Juan James (Western Province), Martin Khumalo (Easterns), Kwena Maphaka (Lions), Dewan Marias (Easterns), Nqobani Mokoena (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Riley Norton (Boland), Romashan Pillay (KwaZula-Natal Coastal), Sipho Potsane (Lions), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Lions), Richard Seletswane (Lions), Steve Stolk (Titans), Oliver Whitehead (Western Province), and Ntando Zuma (KwaZulu-Natal Inland). 

JOHANNESBURG: The Board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) met in Johannesburg yesterday and considered a complaint from the Palestine Solidarity Alliance with respect to comments reported to have been made by Mr David Teeger, captain of the SA U19 team, on the occasion of the ABSA Jewish Achievers Awards Ceremony on 26 October 2023.

The Board resolved to appoint an independent enquiry to be adjudicated by Adv Wim Trengove SC to determine whether Mr Teeger breached either the CSA or Central Gauteng Lions Codes of Conduct.

The enquiry will be conducted expeditiously and the decision of Adv Trengove as well as his reasons will be made public. CSA will not comment further on the matter until the conclusion of the enquiry.

JOHANNESBURG.- Cricket South Africa has today named a provisional 18-player South Africa Under-19s (SA u19s) squad for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 to be held in Sri Lanka from 13 January – 04 February.

The finalized 15-player list and three non-travelling reserves will be announced in December.

Lions batter David Teeger will captain the side, which includes five players new to the SA u19s setup; Esosa Aihevba (Lions), Adam Cannata (Titans), Nqobani Mokoena (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Juan Steyn (Easterns) and Steve Stolk (Titans).

Teeger was part of the squad that toured Bangladesh in July for a five-match Youth ODI series and finished as the top run-scorer with 205 runs at an average of 41.

In preparation for the World Cup, the players will continue to train in their provinces before the squad gathers for a week-long camp in Durban from 09 – 15 December.

The players will then go on to compete in the Khaya Majola Week in Makhanda from 16 – 20 December.

The World Cup squad will travel to Sri Lanka on 26 December where they will participate in a training camp and warm-up matches ahead of the start of the tournament.

Commenting on the squad, SA u19s Convenor of Selectors Patrick Moroney said: “Firstly, I would like to congratulate each of the players for being selected for the provisional squad. It’s great to see the abundance of young talent in South Africa and credit must be given to the provinces for producing a rich pool of players from which we were able to select this squad.

“It’s also been a pleasure to watch how the players have developed over the last two years in the build-up to the World Cup.

“It’s a balanced squad with a strong top 6-7 batting line-up with hard-hitting batters upfront, much like the senior men’s team. The coaching staff have also been working exceptionally hard with the batters on playing spin in preparation of what to expect in the subcontinent.

“From a bowling point of view, a lot of focus has been placed on Kwena (Mphaka), especially after his call up to the South Africa A side earlier this year, and so we’re really looking forward to seeing him along with the rest of bowling unit step up over the next few months.”

Head coach Malibongwe Maketa added: “It is an exciting group of players that have been earmarked for the World Cup and we’re looking forward to building on the experience of the Bangladesh tour. That tour provided an excellent opportunity to assess the players in different conditions.

“The key for us now will be to fine tune our preparation in the upcoming training camps as we look to finalize the squad that will represent South Africa at the World Cup.”

Provisional SA u19s Men’s Squad – ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024

David Teeger (captain, Lions), Esosa Aihevba (Lions), Adam Cannata (Titans), Bennie Hansen (Western Province), Juan James (Western Province), Martin Khumalo (Easterns), Kwena Maphaka (Lions), Dewan Marais (Easterns), Riley Norton (Boland), Nqobani Mokoena (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Romashan Pillay (KwaZula-Natal Coastal), Sipho Potsane (Lions), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Lions), Richard Seletswane (Lions), Juan Steyn (Easterns), Oliver Whitehead (Western Province), Steve Stolk (Titans), and Ntando Zuma (KwaZulu-Natal Inland).

Management

Malibongwe Maketa (Head Coach), Blanche Conradie (Team Manager), Thabang Kumalo (Fielding Coach), Justin Sammons (Batting Coach), Paul Adams (Bowling Coach), Curtly Diesel (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Salih Solomon (Team Doctor), Sheenagh Jordaan (Physiotherapist) and Kyle Southgate (Performance Analyst).

Tristan Luus claimed four wickets to help set South Africa Under-19s (SA U19s) up for what proved to be a comfortable four-wicket win over Bangladesh U19s on the DLS Method in match three of their five-game one-day series in Khulna on Tuesday.

There were also half–centuries by Thebe Gazide and Lhuan-dre Pretorius – the pair sharing in an impressive 125-run opening partnership – as the tourists reached their 241-victory target with five balls to spare.

The result put Malibongwe Maketa’s charges 2-1 up in the series after they also won a rain-affected match one via the DLS Method in a much-tighter 10-run triumph last Friday, before slipping to a 14-run loss on Sunday. The series now shifts to Rajshahi for game four this Friday.

And the South Africans will be pleased to be ahead in what is turning out to be a closely fought contest, which is being used by both teams as preparation for the 2024 ICC U19 Men’s World Cup in Sri Lanka.

The home side won the toss at the start and opted to bat first, but they found themselves in early trouble thanks to the first breakthrough from Player of the Match Luus, who took four for 60, as well as strikes by Sipho Potsane (2/38), Oliver Whitehead (1/5) and Romashan Pillay (1/42).

It left the score on 70 for four inside the opening 15 overs. But the Tigers then fought back through Chowdhury Rizwan (77 off 98 balls, 2 fours, 4 sixes) and Shihab James (29).

The two added 45 together, while there was also a key contribution by number eight Mahfuzur Rabby (74 off 66 balls, 3 fours, 4 sixes).

The latter put on the highest partnership of the innings worth 76 with Rafiuzzaman Rafi (23) that eventually propelled Bangladesh to 241 for nine.

Debutant Gazide (53 off 58 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) and Pretorius(66 off 79 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes) were commanding in their reply scoring at more than six runs to the over during their partnership that finally broke in the 21st over.

David Teeger (30), captain Juan James (34) and Richard Seletswane (18) then did the bulk of the scoring to help close in on the target, with Pillay (13) and Whitehead (11*) carrying the visitors to their target at the start of the final over.

SA U19s Men’s squad against Bangladesh

Liam Alder (Warriors), Esa Gangat (Eastern Province), Thebe Gazide (Lions), Bennie Hansen (Western Province), Juan James (Western Province), Tristan Luus (Titans), KwenaMaphaka (Lions), Dewan Marias (Easterns), Romashan Pillay (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Sipho Potsane (Lions), Lhuan-drePretorius (Lions), Richard Seletswane (Lions), David Teeger(Lions), Johnathan van Zyl (KwaZulu-Natal Inland), Oliver Whitehead (Western Province).

Non-traveling reserves

Martin Khumalo (Easterns), Riley Norton (Boland), Ntando Zuma (KwaZulu-Natal Inland).

Management

Malibongwe Maketa (Head Coach), Blanche Conradie (Team Manager), Thabang Kumalo (Fielding Coach), Justin Sammons (Batting Coach), Paul Adams (Bowling consultant), Curtly Diesel (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Sheenagh Jordaan (Physiotherapist), Kyle Southgate (Performance Analyst).

Tour Itinerary

Thursday, 06 July

Bangladesh U19s lost to South Africa U19s by 10 runs (DLS Method) at SANS in Khulna

Sunday, 09 July

Bangladesh U19s beat South Africa U19s by 14 runs at SANSin Khulna

Tuesday, 11 July

Bangladesh U19s lost to South Africa U19s by 4 wickets (DLS Method) at SANS in Khulna

Friday, 14 July

Bangladesh U19s vs South Africa U19s at SKS in Rajshahi

Monday, 17 July

Bangladesh U19s vs South Africa U19s at SKS in Rajshahi