AT times, the congested cricket calendar can leave people asking what is the point of a series such as the coming three-match T20 series between South Africa and the West Indies.
This is because the T20 World Cup just concluded a few months ago and the next one is in 2026, almost two years from now.
However, for a meticulous planner such as Proteas limited-overs coach Rob Walter, the only coach to lead a SA team to a World Cup final, the coming series is an important part of the journey to the next World Cup final.
Walter aims to use the series – which starts at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba tomorrow (9pm SA time) – to widen the talent pool, while simultaneously resting household names such as Kagiso Rabada and Heinrich Klaasen.
“In my opinion, it’s 18 months away from the 2026 World Cup in India. We’ve got nine series from now until then, which leaves us with 32 to 36 fixtures before that World Cup turns around,” Walter revealed to the media yesterday.
🇿🇦 We are back Trinidad! 🇹🇹
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) August 21, 2024
Our players departed for the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium in Trinidad, ahead of their T20 Series.🏏#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt#SAvWI pic.twitter.com/3mRjGjochf
“In terms of giving guys international opportunities, playing against quality T20 sides like we are, we have to use these opportunities to grow the base of our players. So for me, the importance of fixtures like these is massive.
“When you put on the green and gold, you have the responsibility to represent the country. There’s a very strong desire to perform and to do well, so I don’t think the players see a series like this as any less important than another.”
Among the many prospects that Walter aims to expose to international cricket during this series is 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka.
Having already played in the Indian Premier League and dominated the Under-19 arena and Division One cricket at home, Walter has a massive job in guiding the youngster as expectations are high for his eagerly-anticipated international debut.
However, this is not the first time Walter has had to shield and protect a youngster at this level, as he did so brilliantly earlier this year when he rewarded 21-year-old spin prodigy Nqaba Peter with an international debut in Jamaica.
Peter has drawn parallels with Afghanistan star Rashid Khan, but Walter is wary of such comparisons.
With Maphaka, he is just aiming to ensure that the young cricketer gets all the support he needs to succeed at this level.
“It certainly is a challenge that I’m very aware of. For me, this is just one part in the journey, and this is one part in giving him the best chance to perform for South Africa whenever his chance presents itself,” said Walter.
“As a young guy, it will be up to him and his support group, of which we are just one portion, to keep things in perspective.
“So, to keep him grounded, to understand that he is under no time pressures, we don’t need to speed this thing along, we just need to assist and support him in the best way possible to be ready.
“Taking care of him as an individual is foremost, so we will be endeavouring to do that as best as we can,” he added.