Young Chevrons lack in mentality

SOUTH Africa Under-19s made light work of Zimbabwe in their 2024 International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup Super Six stage match with a crushing nine wickets win at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom yesterday.

The heavy defeat dealt a blow to the Young Chevrons who remain as the only team with zero points in Group Two of the Super Six and have zero chances of progressing any further.

They remain with zero points from three matches (two games played in the Group Stages and yesterday’s defeat) while South Africa jumped to four points.

The Young Chevrons lost the toss and were sent in to bat first and the South African bowlers, led by left arm Kwena Maphaka showed no mercy with the ball, bowling out Zimbabwe for just 102 runs in 29,2 overs before they went on to comfortably chase down the target in just 13,3 overs finishing on 103 runs for the loss of just one wicket.

Zimbabwe Under-19s skipper, Matthew Schonken believes the way they collapsed with the bat is more of a mental thing rather than technical because when they lose one wicket, they tend to lose more in quick succession. He however, said they will be looking to play well in their final Super Six match on Saturday.

The Young Chevrons made two changes to the team that played against Namibia in their last group game, Mashford Shungu came in for the injured Kohl Eksteen while Nathaniel Hlabangana replaced Carlton Takawira.

It was the worst possible start for Zimbabwe with the bat as they lost an early wicket of Hlabangana who was run out for one run off nine deliveries after miscommunication with his opening partner, Panashe Taruvinga, who would later on be bowled by Maphaka for three runs off eight balls.

The Young Chevrons found themselves in all sorts of trouble in the fifth over, struggling on 16/4 with Maphaka proving unplayable. Three of the first four wickets that fell were taken by Maphaka. Ronak Patela and Ryan Kamwemba would go on to rebuild Zimbabwe’s innings with a half century stand for the fifth wicket, the only notable partnership in the innings.

Patel went on to finish as the Young Chevrons’ leading run scorer with 32 runs off 30 balls while Kamwemba fell for 24 runs from 42 deliveries. The only other Zimbabwean batter that managed to cross double figures was Shungu with 17 runs while four other batters fell for ducks. Maphaka finished with figures of 5/34 in his fiery 10-over spell while Tristan Luus claimed three scalps for 25 runs in 7,2 overs.

Coming in to defend their sub-par score, it was not to be for the Young Chevrons as South African batters proved a class above. The first wicket would fall with the game nearing the end with Anesu Kamuriwo having Steve Stolk caught on 37 runs off 29 balls, leaving the tournament hosts on 86/1 in 10,1 overs. Lhuan-dre Pretorius top scored for the Young Proteas, finishing unbeaten on 53 runs off 39 balls.

After their dismal performance yesterday, Zimbabwe’s final match of the Super Six stage will be against England at the JB Marks Oval as well. The top two teams from Group 1 and 2 of the Super Si will proceed to the semi-finals of the World Cup. – @brandon_malvin