Maphaka hands South Africa injury scare ahead of Pakistan series as he complained of hamstring discomfort playing for Lions.
Kwena Maphaka to go for scans after injury scare.
Fast bowler Kwena Maphaka is being evaluated for an injury he got during a domestic competition. Maphaka was selected in South Africa’s second-string team to play a Twenty20 International in Namibia on October 11 and their white-ball teams to tour Pakistan later this month.
Last week, Maphaka, 19, played for his provincial team, the Lions, in a four-day game in Newlands versus Western Province. He had to leave the pitch due to hamstring pain after bowling 5.5 overs in the first innings. After undergoing a scan that showed no significant injury, he returned to take the new ball in the second inning. The Lions won by an innings and 134 runs thanks to his 3 for 26 in 10 overs. He will now have a precautionary MRI to confirm his fitness ahead of a busy season.
Although there has been discussion about making sure Maphaka gets more time in the domestic game, especially the four-day tournament, he is anticipated to be a part of South Africa’s international engagements over the next two and a half months, which include tours of Pakistan and India. He has only participated in six first-class games thus far, including two Test matches. In addition, he has played 13 Twenty20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals for South Africa. He signed with the Super Giants of Durban for the fourth SA20 season.
On Saturday, South Africa will play Namibia in a special Twenty20 International to open the new stadium in Windhoek. The game is played the day before the Test team starts defending the World Test Championship title in Pakistan, which has resulted in the exclusion of several key players, including skipper Aiden Markram, from the cross-border journey. Donovan Ferreira, who will guide Quinton de Kock in his international comeback, will skipper South Africa. Last month, De Kock decided to come out of his ODI retirement and play for his country.