Klaasen, De Kock leading Proteas’ new perspective
THE 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is in full flow and as the cricket world comes to a standstill to witness the best Twenty20 tournament in the world, days are quickly ticking over as the ICC T20 World Cup in USA and the West Indies approaches.
The IPL will be the final preparation for some players as the T20 World Cup begins a week later. South Africa will go up against Sri Lanka on June 3, seven days after the completion of the IPL. It’s becoming increasingly vital for players to be in form leaving this tournament, as there won’t be much cricket at the conclusion. The Proteas have a fair representation and we look at those that have had the most impact so far.
Heinrich Klaasen and Quinton de Kock continue to lead the way for South Africans at the IPL. Klaasen, with 177 runs in four matches at time of going to print, has scored two destructive half centuries, and will be a key member of the Proteas squad heading into the World Cup. South Africa will be desperate for him to maintain his form leading up to the event.
Hitting form at the right time has been star opening batter De Kock. His last two outings have seen the talented left hander hit back-to-back half centuries. He has achieved a strike rate of 140.40 and has a high score of 81 after three matches. He has also managed to get the nod ahead of Kyle Meyers, who troubled him the previous season with game time.
De Kock came into the tournament on the back of a disappointing debut season at Australia’s Big Bash League, where he played seven matches but only managed to score 104 runs at an average of 17.33 with a high score of 38. De Kock’s short stint for the Melbourne Renegades ended when he had to fly back home to take part in the SA20 for the Durban Supergiants. His poor run continued with a quiet tournament by his standards. He achieved 213 runs, with only one half century after 12 matches.
Klaasen’s Sunrisers Hyderabad team mate Aiden Markram has had starts in the tournament, but has failed to convert into big scores. The big right hander was on key when Sunrisers beat Chennai Super Kings by six wickets on Friday night. Markram scored his first half century (50 off 36 balls, 4x4, 1x6) of the tournament, guiding his side to their second win of the season.
David Miller missed Gujarat Titans’ clash due to a niggle and was replaced by New Zealand’s Kane Williamson. Miller will hope for a quick recovery as he is a vital part of the Titans and has been in good touch, with 77 runs so far in the tournament.
The bowlers are coming under increasing pressure with teams achieving scores well over 200 with ease. There were a total of 523 runs scored when the Sunrisers hosted the Mumbai Indians, with the Sunrisers winning by 31 runs.
Kwena Maphaka became the youngest South African to make his IPL debut, at the age of 17, for the Mumbai Indians at a packed Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
Maphaka, still in matric, was bowling the Lions to victory against Western Province in a super over just a couple of weeks ago.
The youngster had a harsh welcome, conceding 0-66 in his four overs, with teammate Gerald Coetzee not far off with 1-57 in his four. Maphaka went on to pick up his maiden IPL wicket, slicing Yashasvi Jaiswal of the Rajasthan Royals The Royals have been using Nandre Burger as an impact sub and so far he has had an impactful start to the tournament, picking up five wickets at an economy of 9.10.
He has troubled batters early with the new ball, with most struggling against his pace and bounce.
Kagiso Rabada has had a fairly solid tournament and is currently third, with six wickets after four matches. Anrich Nortje, still feeling his way in after a long-term injury lay-off, has picked up four wickets in three matches, but his death overs’ spells have come under heavy attack and it's an area he needs to work on.