Keshav Maharaj makes history in debut Test as South Africa captain, sets new record for Proteas spinner

South Africa’s stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj made history during the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo by reaching 200 Test wickets on day two. He became the first South African spinner ever to hit this milestone, cementing his place as the country’s best-ever spinner in Test cricket.

Maharaj took the wicket of Zimbabwe’s Craig Ervine to reach the landmark. He had already surpassed Hugh Tayfield’s previous record of 170 wickets during the last World Test Championship cycle. Maharaj has often been South Africa’s main spinner, leading the attack both at home and in spin-friendly conditions abroad.

The 35-year-old veteran has played 59 Tests and was part of the South African team that won the World Test Championship. Taking over as captain in Zimbabwe while regular skipper Temba Bavuma recovers from injury, Maharaj marked the occasion with this special achievement.

In the match, Maharaj took 3 wickets for 70 runs, including key dismissals of Ervine and the experienced Sean Williams. He also claimed the final wicket to help South Africa build a 167-run lead after the first innings. Youngsters Codi Yusuf, on debut, and Wiaan Mulder also impressed, taking three and four wickets respectively.

Earlier, South Africa got a boost from centuries by debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Corbin Bosch lower down the order. Maharaj himself chipped in with a useful 21 runs, helping South Africa reach 418/9 before declaring late on day one.

With 202 Test wickets now to his name at an average of 29.62, Maharaj sits ninth on South Africa’s all-time wicket-takers list. He will be aiming to surpass Vernon Philander’s tally of 224 wickets later this year.