19-year-old pacer Kwena Maphaka has been added to South Africa's squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia which will commence from August 19. The left-arm quick got his place in the squad following an impressive performance in the recently-concluded three-match T20I series against the Baggy Greens.
The youngster picked up a total of nine scalps in three matches and proved to be a constant headache for the Australian batters. He was also the leading wicket-taker of the series.and will be looking to continue this stellar form in the upcoming ODI assignment.
Maphaka hasn't played many matches in the one-day format
Notably, Maphaka has only played in two ODIs in his career so far. He made his debut against Pakistan in December 2024 and has taken five scalps in the format so far. The Australia series will be a good chance for the youngster to cement his place in South Africa's ODI set-up.
Meanwhile ahead of the one-day assignment against Australia, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma remarked that it is quite exciting that the young guns are stepping up and are making their way into the squads in different formats. He also namedropped Dewald Brevis, who has been the talk of the town since his brilliant performance with the bat in the T20I series against Australia. Notably, the 22-year-old had scored a century and a fifty in the recently-concluded threee-match assignment.
"It's always exciting when you see the young faces. The big talk has been on Brevis, (he's been) putting up his hand and showing what he is capable of. (I'm) excited to see what he can also bring within the one-day stuff,” Bavuma was quoted as saying by ICC.
South Africa squad for Australia ODIs: Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen.
Australia squad for South Africa ODIs: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Adam Zampa.