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TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Mulder praises the perseverance of Yusuf after Proteas debutant takes three wickets
It took one of his schoolmates to hit him out of the nets at training for Codi Yusuf to switch from bowling spin, to bowling fast. 'I went to fetch the ball, ran in and I hit the guy and told everyone I'm not going to bowl another spin ball from this day onwards,' Yusuf said before making his Proteas Test debut against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. On Sunday, on a pitch offering some assistance to the seamers, but one when batters, once set, thrive, the 27 year old claimed 3/42, helping to bowl out Zimbabwe for 251, to give the Proteas a 167-run first innings lead. It wasn't just the wickets, however. Yusuf bowled with nagging accuracy, extracting bounce from one portion of the pitch that even had Sean Williams, who made 137, jumping around. 'I've played with Codi at the Lions, he's been an inspiration for us,' said Wiaan Mulder, who handed Yusuf his Test cap at a ceremony before the match. 'He bowls like that every single week. He's exceptional, he's got the biggest heart, he never gives up. What you saw today is just a glimpse of what we see at the Lions.' Yusuf is not the quickest bowler on the domestic circuit. But in the last three seasons he's made incremental improvements that has seen him become one of the most reliable bowlers in provincial cricket. He tends to skid the ball off the surface and his bouncer can be tricky to read, although he doesn't use it often. What he has done is simplify his game, targeting the stumps and if there is any assistance out of the surface — like with that patch on a back of a full length in Bulawayo — he is able to exploit it. 'I'm happy for him because he's one of those guys, the way he approaches the game is not through shouting or abusing people, or too much aggression and all that kind of fluff, he does it week in and week out, all heart and gives it everything he has,' said Mulder. Yusuf grew up west of Johannesburg, but had to wait his turn as the Lions sifted through a variety of quicks, before he got his chance. 'I play the game hard, with my heart and with the goal in mind of playing for the Proteas, my performances were never based on playing for the Proteas, but I felt that if I give my best things would happen naturally,' he said. Yusuf is the ultimate team player, whose versatility in the last couple of seasons has proven to be a weapon for the Lions. He's equally capable of bowling a seven over spell to 'dry up' en end as he is a short burst attacking the batter. For someone who doesn't engage in sledging it was strange when he did just that in an intriguing mini battle with Lhuan-dre Pretorius in last season's Four-Day final between the Lions and the Titans at the Wanderers. Pretorius ultimately emerged victorious making a hundred that secured a draw, but was respectful of a bowler, with whom he shared a dressing room during the SA20 for Paarl Royals. 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫-𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐥 👏👏 Wiaan Mulder was a man on a mission on day two in Bulawayo 🇿🇦🔥 #ZIMvSA #SSCricket — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 30, 2025 Both are making their debuts in Bulawayo and have had an impact on a match that the Proteas were dominating at the end of day two. Pretorius's 153 in the first innings, changed the course of the opening day, while Yusuf's three wickets helped to strengthen their advantage on the second day. Perhaps Yusuf's recent stint at Durham, helped him to find his rhythm quicker than his fellow new ball bowler Kwena Maphaka. The 19 year old left-arm quick, struggled in the first innings, offering the Zimbabweans too many freebies, conceding 52 runs in 12 overs. But Maphaka's threat was illustrated by two nasty bouncers, which clattered into the heads of Brian Bennett — ending his participation in the match because of concussion — and Williams, who was clearly shaken up for a few moments. 'He's learning, quite quickly,' said Mulder. 'The challenge for Kwena, is how he takes the balls in between the good ones and to keep going with a couple of dots, or just concede a run. International cricket is difficult and if you're not able to land it in an area that hits the top of the stumps, especially when the ball is not moving, guys are going to keep scoring.' 'He's still wet behind the ears. When you face him in the nets, the balls are super fast, always moving, he hit two guys in the something special about him,' said Mulder.
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Brevis could add more oomph to Proteas Test side, with bat and ball
His presence in both the Test and T20 squads in Zimbabwe suggests Dewald Brevis will play an increasingly bigger role for the Proteas in the foreseeable future. That should come as no surprise, because Brevis has long been forecast to make a major impression at international level. Yet on the eve of a likely Test debut in the first match that starts in Bulawayo on Saturday, it feels like it's taken Brevis a long time to earn what would be only his third international cap — having played two T20s against Australia in 2023. But Brevis is no longer the flashy AB de Villiers clone of his formative years. 'Brevie's matured nicely from when I last worked with him in 2022,' said Proteas coach Shukri Conrad. Part of Conrad's under-19 World Cup squad that year, Brevis announced himself to the world with record-setting figures at that tournament. He signed an IPL contract soon after but in the next two years his performances in the middle didn't match the hype. New Blood. Same Badge. 🇿🇦🔥 Our uncapped players are putting in the work as they gear up for a shot at Test glory in Zimbabwe. 💪🏏 #WozaNawe — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 26, 2025 Last season, however, saw Brevis finally live up to the fanfare. Not only was he a central figure in MI Cape Town's charge to the SA20 title, but he impacted the Titans in both the provincial One-Day and Four-Day competitions. In the latter he was the second-highest run-scorer with an aggregate of 573 runs, including two centuries and two half-centuries. 'He's got experience under his belt with regards to first class cricket,' said Conrad. Brevis has retained that aggressive and stylish streak in the red-ball format too. While Conrad couldn't confirm a starting team for the first Test, Brevis provides the kind of spark with the bat that Conrad enjoys. A bit like Harry Brook does for England, Brevis is able to change the momentum of an innings. Though not as important as in the limited-overs formats, that Brevis scored his runs in last season's Four Day series at a strike rate of 88.69 is indicative of intent. 'The exciting thing, and this is the message Ashwell (Prince, the batting coach) and I keep ramming home, is that we don't want guys to come here and change things because they feel it's international level. Whatever they've got we want to enhance and showcase,' said Conrad. Zimbabwe off to Bulawayo ahead of the two-match Test series at Queens Sports Club against World Test Champions South Africa. 🏏 The first Test is scheduled for 28 June to 2 July, with the second match set to run from 6 to 10 July. #ZIMvSA #ExperienceZimbabwe — Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) June 20, 2025 His leg-spin is an extra string to his bow that Conrad has always encouraged Brevis to improve and on a slow pitch in Bulawayo, even if SA do start with two front-line spinners, it could prove useful. 'I'm really excited to see what we can get out of Brevie with his not-so-filthy leg-spin,' said Conrad. 'With the bowling I always felt there was something, there was more we could unlock. Depending on the balance we go with for this Test he could play a role with the ball. I want to see what he can bring.' With six players who started the World Test Championship final missing the two Tests in Zimbabwe (Lungi Ngidi is available for the second match), the side that starts on Saturday will be short on experience. Kwena Maphaka, who has played just one Test, will lead the attack, likely alongside Corbin Bosch, who has also played just one Test. 'For a 19-year-old to be given that responsibility doesn't only speak volumes for how highly we rate him, but also the calibre and mentality he possesses,' Conrad said of Maphaka. 'This is a great time for him, where he is not the third quick (bowler) behind KG and Marco, but he's the main dog. That responsibility will grow him massively. But just like we have to be patient with batters, you need to be patient with bowlers. 'We won't see the best of Kwena Maphaka in the next couple of months, but these are the building blocks so that we see the best of Kwena in three to four years' time.' Keshav Maharaj will captain the side, with Temba Bavuma absent because of the hamstring strain suffered at Lord's. Conrad is mulling over whether to start just one spinner or two on a pitch he believes will get slower as the match progresses. The second spinner's slot would see Prenalen Subrayen make his debut, with Conrad keen on assessing the off-spinner with one eye on tours later this year to Pakistan and India. Squads Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine (capt), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Kundai Matigimu, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams
