Maharaj breaks long standing record to become most successful Test spinner in South Africa’s history
He surpassed Hugh Tayfield’s 64-year-old record, taking his place as the Proteas’ leading wicket-taker among spinners in Test cricket.
On August 17, Keshav Maharaj etched his name into the history books at Providence Stadium, Guyana, becoming South Africa's most prolific Test spinner.
Maharaj entered the second Test against the West Indies just five wickets short of overtaking Tayfield, having already claimed eight wickets in the first Test at Port of Spain. By the third day of the match, he equaled Tayfield's record by trapping Joshua Da Silva in front and then clinched the record by dismissing Jayden Seales 12 overs later. Maharaj now holds 171 Test wickets, making him the top spinner in South Africa's Test history.
This series has been monumental for Maharaj in multiple respects. While rain denied South Africa victory in the first Test, Maharaj's relentless bowling stood out. He bowled 40 consecutive overs in the first innings, the longest unbroken spell by any bowler in the last 15 years of Test cricket.
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At Port of Spain, Maharaj bowled 44.7% of the team's total overs, the most extensive workload taken on by a South African bowler in the past 45 years.
Maharaj's outstanding performance in this series has also kept South Africa in contention for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final. The Proteas currently sit fifth on the table with a PCT of 38.89%. Their next challenge is a home series against Sri Lanka, who are fourth with a PCT of 50.00%.
