Keshav Maharaj Breaks 64-Year-Old Record To Become South Africa’s Most Successful Spinner In Tests

Keshav Maharaj was on fire for South Africa in the two-match Test series against the West Indies. He picked up eight wickets in the series opener, which resulted in a draw last week, and dismissed five batters in the second Test, which the Proteas won by 40 runs on Saturday (August 17). The 34-year-old spinner picked up two wickets in the first inning and removed three batters in the second to finish the match with figures of 5 for 45.

He sealed the match for the Proteas at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on the third day by dismissing Jayden Seales on the second ball of the 67th over.

Seales’ wicket helped Maharaj take his tally of wickets to 171 in 52 Tests for South Africa, helping him break a 64-year-old record. With 171 dismissals to his name, Maharaj has now become the most successful spinner in red-ball cricket for the Proteas. Before him, the record for taking the most wickets for South Africa in Tests by a spinner was held by Hugh Tayfield. During his 11-year-long international career, which ended in 1960, Tayfield played a total of 37 Tests for South Africa and dismissed 170 batters.

A total of eight bowlers have picked up more wickets than Maharaj for South Africa in Tests, but all of them are fast bowlers. Dale Steyn holds the record for taking the most wickets in Tests for Proteas. He finished his career with 439 wickets in 93 Tests.

Steyn is followed by Shaun Pollock (421), Makhaya Ntini (390), Allan Donald (330), Mornel Morkel (309), Kagiso Rabada (299), Jacques Kallis (291), and Vernon Philander (224).

Most wickets for South Africa in Tests

• Dale Steyn – 439
• Shaun Pollock – 421
• Makhaya Ntini – 390
• Allan Donald – 330
• Morne Morkel – 309
• Kagiso Rabada – 299
• Jacques Kallis – 291
• Veron Philander – 224
• Keshav Maharaj – 171
• Hugh Tayfield – 170

Maharaj, who made his Test debut for South Africa in 2016 against Australia in Perth, picked up a total of 13 wickets in the two Tests against the West Indies, and for his super show with the ball, he also won the Player of the Series award.

The win in the Guyana Test has also helped South Africa keep alive its hopes of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final. They have moved to the No. 5 position in the updated points table.