Glimpse of the future

TWO of the most exciting young cricketers in South Africa, Dewald Brevis and Kwena Maphaka, will have a chance to make their stemme dik in five-day cricket in Bulawayo this weekend. 

Batsman Brevis, 22, looks set to make his debut when South Africa take the field against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club at 10am for Day One tomorrow,  while Maphaka, 19, will play in only his second Test. 

Brevis, who is known as a master blaster batsman, also has work to do with ball in hand over the next five days, with coach Shukri Conrad excited at the prospect of employing him as a leg-spin bowler. 

Of Brevis, Conrad said in a press conference yesterday: “Dewie’s matured nicely from the last time I worked with him at the 2022 U19 World Cup. “His level of maturity [increased] and he has experience under his belt with regards to first class cricket and a lot of T20 cricket around the world… 

“The exciting thing is that we don’t want guys to start changing things at international level - whatever they’ve got we want them to enhance and we want them to showcase that...” 

Of using him as a bowler, Conrad added: “I’ve always felt that there is something more we can unlock there. Depending on the balance we go with in the first Test, he could play a role with the ball. 

“He’s the type of guy that thrives in challenging conditions when you set him a challenge. I’m excited to see what we can get out of Brevie with his not-so-filthy leg spin.”

With Lungi Ngidi not playing in the first Test, Maphaka will be asked to lead the attack. 

Conrad has no doubt that the teenager has what it takes and added: “The important bit is that he’s 19 years old. The good thing is that he has a Test match under his belt and he will be better with that that experience. 

“With Lungi [Ngidi] not here for the first, he will lead the attack. As a 19-year-old, when you get given responsibility doesn’t only speak volumes for how highly we rate him, but also the calibre and mentality he possesses. He is a young buck that shows maturity way beyond his years…”