New Delhi: South Africa’s fielding coach had to become a substitute fielder in their match against New Zealand in an ODI tri-series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
South Africa made 304/6 after New Zealand won the toss and invited them to bat. Opener Matthew Breetzke etched his name into the record books by becoming the first batter to score 150 runs on ODI debut.
But still it wasn’t enough for South Africa as Kane Willimson’s unbeaten 133 took New Zealand home with eight balls to spare in a six-wicket victory.
As several South African players are away on their SA20 commitments, they could only bring a 12-man squad for the tri-series in Pakistan.
Thus when the situation arose in the 37th over of the Kiwi innings, South Africa’s fielding coach Wandile Gwavu had to be on the field to fill in the void of another player.
We don’t see that happening too often! 😅
South Africa’s fielding coach Wandile Gwavu came on as a substitute fielder during the New Zealand innings! 👀#TriNationSeriesonFanCode pic.twitter.com/ilU5Zj2Xxn
— FanCode (@FanCode) February 10, 2025
It is a very rare incident that a coach had to come on as a substitute fielder after South Africa named six uncapped players in their 12-man roster for the first match of the ongoing tri-series also involving Pakistan.
Their next game is on Wednesday against Pakistan for which top names including Heinrich Klaasen and Keshav Maharaj would be available as by then they would join the team after concluding their SA20 commitments.
It isn’t the first time that a South African coach has doubled up as a substitute fielder with batting coach Jean Paul Duminy forced to fulfill the role last year in an ODI against Ireland as several players weren’t on the field due to illness.
Two records
Not only Breetzke, Kane Williamson reached 7000 runs in ODIs, through his century, his first on over five years. He became the quickest Kiwi batter to 7000 runs in the 50-over format and second fastest overall.
Breetzke scored 150 from 147 balls and went past West Indian Desmond Haynes’ 148 runs in 1978. The top score on ODI debut by a South African before Breetzke was 124 by Colin Ingram against Zimbabwe in 2010.
South Africa could only namw a 12-man squad for their tri-series opener against New Zealand as several of their top players are away on their SA20 commitment. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
