Central Gauteng Lions bowling coach Allan Donald has lauded 18-year-old quick Kwena Maphaka ahead of Sunday’s T20 Challenge final.
The defending champions will take on the Titans at the Wanderers from 2pm.
After starring at the U19 World Cup, Maphaka made his senior Proteas debut in a T20I series against the West Indies in August.
“When he came back to us [from the Proteas], I could see he was over-eager, especially with the new ball, he wanted things to happen too quickly and wanted to try too much, too soon,” Donald told the Sunday Times.
“But that is part of the growing process, he has to try those things. This season I’ve noticed he is making more errors, but he’s admitted that and I feel a lot of that stems from this fire he has in his belly. If he bowls 150km/h and gets it slightly wrong, he can go for runs, but that doesn’t happen often.
“I don’t want to shackle this kid,” Donald added. “He is a match winner and yes he makes mistakes, but that is OK, we can live with that.”
Donald was particularly impressed with Maphaka’s performance in the Lions’ last league-stage match, a seven-run win that enabled them finish top of the log.
“He bowled the 19th over for us in a game against North West in Potchefstroom and conceded just three runs, which set up a win for us. And I can say honestly, I’ve never seen composure from someone so young in a situation like that.”
The Proteas fast-bowling legend was also amazed by Maphaka’s ability to bowl yorkers.
“I asked him how he has such great control of it, and he said he bowled it so often in school cricket that he just got comfortable with it. It’s extraordinary that someone so young can have such control of that ball.”
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
