Keshav Maharaj’s inclusion in the Test series against Sri Lanka was a part of Cricket South Africa’s experiment with spinners for the upcoming 2019 ICC World Cup. Though it took some time, the results of preferring Maharaj over Tahir were delighting.
During the second Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo, Keshav Maharaj registered the best bowling figures for South Africa since readmission and the second-best for the country ever.
He claimed 9 wickets for 129 which turned out to be the 17th instance of a bowler taking nine wickets in an innings in the history of Test cricket.
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It’s also just the sixth time when a bowler has achieved the feat away from home and 2nd best bowling figures by left-arm bowlers in Tests after Rangana Herath’s 9/127 against Pakistan in 2014.
Muthiah Muralidaran was the last bowler to take nine wickets away from home. He picked up 9-65 against England at The Oval in 1998, two decades ago.
After claiming 8 scalps on Day 1, Maharaj picked the last Lankan wicket during the first session of the second day. He dismissed Rangana Herath to break the 74-run partnership between him and Akila Dhananjay for the final wicket, bundling up the hosts for 338.