Khalid Mohidin picks three youngsters – a batsman, a bowler and an all-rounder – to watch during the 2019 One-Day Cup campaign.
Batsmen: Sinethemba Qeshile
The 19-year-old Warriors wicketkeeper-batsman had a powerful 4-Day Franchise series campaign. After scoring a half-century on debut, the youngster went on to score six more half-centuries for the Warriors during his first season. A remarkable return. He has now followed this with his debut for the Warriors in the 50-over format, scoring a half-century that played a helping hand in the Warriors victory over the Cobras in the opening match of the campaign.
Qeshile has shown an amazing ability to stay calm when the pressure is on. He has shown the confidence and maturity to stick to his game and dig his side out of troublesome situations, rather than imprudently changing his game plan to get a result. The youngster has amazing balance, timing and on-field awareness to expand the variety of shots in his arsenal.
*Special mention: Matthew Breetzke (Warriors), Zubayr Hamza (Cobras), Isaac Dikgale (Cobras), Janneman Malan (Cobras), Wandile Makwetu (Titans), Tony de Zorzi (Titans) and Raynard van Tonder (Knights).
Bowlers: Akhona Mnyaka
The 20-year-old made a name for himself playing for Hudson Park and South Africa U19. Hailing from East London, Mnyaka made the bold move to sign a contract with the Cobras. The medium-fast left-arm seamer will have a lot of pressure to deliver the goods, but there is no better team in the country for a youngster to be than at the Cape Cobras – a team that has an ethos of promoting and developing young talent.
The trick for the youngster will be to bowl with consistency and control, attributes of his that stood out during the T20 Schools tournament, the Khaya Majola Week, as well as his tours with SA U19.
*Special mentions: Lutho Sipamla (Warriors), Nandre Burger (Lions), Eathan Bosch (Dolphins), Lwandiswa Zuma (Dolphins) and Kerwin Mungroo (Dolphins).
ALSO READ: Get to know the Cobras’ new youngster
All-rounders: Bjorn Fortuin
The 24-year-old spinner-all-rounder has made a concerted effort to work on his batting this campaign. Having shown his ability with the ball for the Lions and the Paarl Rocks, he proved that he could hold a bat in the Lions’ final game of the 4-Day Franchise Series with a remarkable innings of 183 that ultimately helped them win the tournament.
With 42 wickets in 35 List A games at an average of 29.95 – and an economy rate of 4.56 – Fortuin will look to improve his batting average (15.81), and throw his name in the hat of promising Proteas all-rounders.
*Special mentions: Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Wihan Lubbe (Lions), Jason Smith (Cobras), George Linde (Cobras) and Sibonelo Makhanya (Dolphins).
Photo: Thinus Maritz/Gallo Images
