Sinethemba Qeshile can possibly become a world-beater.
These were the sentiments shared by Protea Test player Temba Bavuma, who had a frontrow seat to the 19-year-old Qeshile's maiden Franchise century against his Lions side at Buffalo Park on Friday night.
The unbeaten 121 was a sparkling knock that proved to be decisive as the Warriors just held on for a tight seven-run win in the end, and he backed his performance up with another superb effort, hammering a 62-ball 88 in a losing cause against the Titans this past Sunday.
“He is a super talent. I have only come to know him this season and I have really been impressed with how he goes about his business, more particularly his batting,” admitted Bavuma.
“He did the business in the four-day competition consistently and here in the one-day stuff he is showing that he is more than just a red ball cricketer.
“I do believe that in the near future he will be donning the green and gold, but for me he is the kind of guy that whenever I see him playing on TV, I sit down and watch.
“So I am very impressed by him and I think the scary thing about him is that if he can get better, I believe that he could be a world-beater.”
It has been a sudden rise to stardom for the humble Qeshile, who is only playing in his first full season for the Warriors Franchise.
The former Hudson Park High captain only matriculated in 2017, with him enjoying a superb final Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week in December in which he was named the player of the tournament.
He was then surprisingly left out of the South African U19 team that competed at the U19 World Cup in New Zealand in January and February 2018, with many people admitting that his inclusion could have helped the side get further than their disappointing loss in the quarterfinals.
The rest of 2018 however saw Qeshile go from strength to strength as he first made his list A debut for Border in January and first-class debut for them in February.
His Warriors debut then came in their final game of the 2017-18 season where he scored a half century in a rain-affected four-day match against the Dolphins in Durban.
He then finally received his SA U19 colours on a tour to England during the off-season.
The 2018-19 season has then been one to remember.
Qeshile scored seven half centuries during the Warriors four-day campaign, including falling agonisingly short of a first century with 99 against the Knights.
His first-class average of 48.11 after 13 matches is very impressive and is even bettered by his list A average of 52.71 after 10 games, which has included two half centuries and his maiden hundred for the Warriors.
“I am very stoked. It has actually taken a couple of games now to reach the milestone, so I am really chuffed that it came in an important game while we are top of the log,” said Qeshile after the Lions win.
“The season has gone very well, but there are certain areas that I can improve on to be a better cricketer and go to the next level, which I think I can do. For me I just keep things simple, see ball, hit ball, simple as that. My main goal is to just support the team and not worry about my individual performances, but just to bat for the team and help take them over the line.
“I don't want to look too far ahead, especially with something like the Proteas. I just want to stay in the present and do my job.”..