Ace player Keshav Maharaj became South Africa’s most successful cricketer when he took 171 test wickets in the recent tour of the West Indies. Picture: SUPPLIED
Keshav Maharaj’s latest cricket match in the West Indies earned him the name Magic Maharaj.
The Proteas left-arm spinner and Hollywoodbets Dolphins star surpassed the late Hugh Tayfield when he took his 171st test wicket earlier this month.
Tayfield, who like Maharaj was also a Durbanite, held the record for over 60 years until Maharaj broke that record in his 52nd test match for the Proteas. He now sits just one wicket clear of the great off-spinner Tayfield.
Maharaj, 34, currently sits at number one on the official ICC ODI bowler rankings.
He had to bide his time before he was given his shot in test whites for the Proteas and made his debut for South Africa in 2016. He played in Perth against Australia, taking four wickets in that test match and scoring 41 runs in the second innings to help his team to a firm win.
In 2018, Maharaj lit up the test world when he ripped through the Sri Lanka batting line up to take 9/129 in the first innings of the test match in Colombo. Those figures remain the second best by a South Africa behind Tayfield who took 9/113 against England in 1957.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins assistant coach Mduduzi Mbatha said Maharaj pays intricate attention to detail, and he was not surprised that he’s gone on to achieve what he has.
“When you talk about Keshav Maharaj you talk about world class preparation,”
Mbatha said. “He’s the first to arrive at training and the last to leave. Keshav is someone that is always willing to learn and help others which also allows him to grow his own game and he’s an example to others on how to go about mastering your craft. He spends a lot of time alone making sure that he’s putting in the hard yards and we are incredibly proud of what he has achieved and long may it continue for the Proteas and the Dolphins.”
Maharaj began his career at the Dolphins and represented all the age-group teams through the KZN pipeline before graduating to the KZN men’s side in 2006. He then progressed into the Dolphins ranks where he has been a stalwart ever since.
CEO of KZN Cricket, Heinrich Strydom said Maharaj epitomises what the Dolphins brand is about.
“The hard work and dedication that Keshav puts into his game behind the scenes and away from people is what makes him great,” Strydom said.
“His determination, humility and drive to be the best is something that we try and mirror here at the Dolphins. To call Keshav a true son of Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium is a proud moment for everyone here.”