Keshav Maharaj First South African to Bag Nine Wickets in an Innings Since Readmission

South African young left-arm spinner, Keshav Maharaj became the first Proteas bowler on Saturday (July 21) to take a nine-wicket haul since its readmission in 1991 as he single-handedly skittled Sri Lanka for 338 runs in the first essay in the day two at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground (SSC).

Meanwhile, Maharaj stood up to the occasion on a turning turf in Colombo. After a solid opening stand in the first hour of the second Test, Maharaj started his antics. Finishing the first day on eight wickets, he returned to take another one to finish off the proceedings in his own style.

The promising spinner was outstanding with his line and length and bowled a consistent line drawing batsmen to commit mistakes.

However, he is the second South African ever to do so after Hugh Tayfield. Tayfield returned with nine for 113 against England came in 1956-57.

Furthermore, Maharaj becomes the first bowler to pick nine wickets against an Asian team in Asia among visitors.  He also becomes the 17th bowler to pick nine or more wickets in an innings. Only two bowlers have taken nine wickets twice in the form of English cricket Jim Laker and veteran off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

Only two among these 17 are left-arm bowlers; Keshav and Rangana Herath Herath. Incidentally, both achieved this feat at SSC Colombo and both are featuring in the ongoing Test.

However, South Africa had a poor start losing three wickets early. They have lost their top three batters. The Proteas will now rely on skipper Faf du Plessis to take them out of troubled waters.

Moreover, the visitors are 1-0 down in this two-match Test series and will badly want to win the decider and level the series.

Also read: Irfan Pathan aims high to return to team India