Teenage Phenom and All-Rounder Join South Africa’s T20 Squad for West Indies Tour

Teenage fast bowler Kwena Maphaka and all-rounder Jason Smith have been called up to South Africa’s T20 squad for a series against the West Indies. The squad sees several key players absent due to injuries and other commitments, presenting an opportunity for emerging talent to gain international experience.

Teenage fast bowler Kwena Maphaka and all-rounder Jason Smith have been called up to South Africa's Twenty20 squad for the first time for a three-match series in the West Indies, Cricket South Africa announced on Wednesday.

Maphaka, 18, was named player of the tournament at this year's under-19 World Cup in South Africa and later secured a contract in the Indian Premier League. Smith impressed both with bat and ball in domestic T20 competition.

The 15-man South African squad returns to the Caribbean after finishing runners-up to India at the T20 World Cup in June, albeit with numerous changes due to injuries, workload management, and ongoing T20 leagues participation. Coach Rob Walter emphasized that this tour allows the team to develop their player pool while maintaining a core of experienced players. "Kwena has been identified as a player with significant potential, and this tour presents a great opportunity to include him in the Proteas environment and gain valuable international experience," he said in a statement. The squad will face the West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago on August 23, 25, and 27.

Squad: Aiden Markram (Titans, captain), Ottneil Baartman (Dolphins), Nandre Burger (Western Province), Donovan Ferreira (Titans), Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks (both Lions), Patrick Kruger (Warriors), Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder (both Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), Jason Smith (Dolphins), Tristan Stubbs (Warriors), Rassie van der Dussen (Lions), Lizaad Williams (Titans).

(With inputs from agencies.)