Keshav Maharaj picks South Africa's first Test hat-trick in more than 60 years to script history - WATCH | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Keshav Maharaj picks South Africa's first Test hat-trick in more than 60 years to script history - WATCH

By, New Delhi
Jun 23, 2021 02:20 PM IST

Keshav Maharaj became only the second South African bowler, and the first in more than 60 years for the Proteas, to take a hat-trick in Test cricket.

South African spinner Keshav Maharaj on Monday bagged a hat-trick against West Indies to hand a magnificent 158-run win to his team in the second Test in Saint Lucia. With this remarkable feat, Maharaj became only the second South African bowler, and the first Proteas cricketer in more than 60 years, to take a hat-trick in Test cricket.

Keshav Maharaj of South Africa(AFP)
Keshav Maharaj of South Africa(AFP)

Maharaj turned the game in South Africa’s favour in the 37th over as he removed Kieron Powell (51), who was caught by Anrich Nortje at deep midwicket. Former captain and all-rounder Jason Holder (0) was Maharaj’s next victim who prodded to Keegan Petersen at forward short leg. The very next ball, Joshua Da Silva (0) tickled down the leg side only to get caught by Wiaan Mulder and allow Maharaj to script history.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

ALSO READ | 'ICC should think and take a decision': Gavaskar wants a 'formula' to determine WTC winners in case of a draw

The only previous South African to take a hat trick in Tests was Geoff Griffin against England at Lord’s in 1960.

ALSO READ | Pietersen says ‘incredibly important cricket game’ shouldn’t be played in the UK, suggests new venue for one-off matches

Maharaj returned with the figures of 5 for 36 while Kagiso Rabada picked up three wickets to bowl out West Indies for 165 before tea on the penultimate day of the final Test, helping the Proteas clinch the Test series 2-0.

"Powell was looking to come at me and I just thought about putting the ball in the right area and it found Anrich on the boundary," Maharaj told reporters.

"The second one to Jason, I was trying to bowl a straight delivery and luckily it got an inside edge. The hat-trick ball I had so many things going through my head as to where to put the ball. In the end I just bowled it normally and Joshua followed it down leg and full credit to Wiaan for a great catch.

"I didn’t know what to do (to celebrate), I thought about doing a slide but ended up stopping dead in my tracks. There was too much excitement and adrenalin in me," he added.

Earlier on Sunday, a remarkable 70-run stand between Rassie van der Dussen and Rabada for the eighth wicket put South Africa in the driving seat. Van der Dussen returned unbeaten for 75 off 142 balls – his sixth Test fifty – after the batting unit collapsed. Rabada’s 40 off 48, his career-best, came at a strike rate of 83.33 that alleviated the pressure from Van der Dussen and did well to see off the worst of the West Indian attack.

Together, they moved South Africa to a more satisfactory 174 all out, setting the hosts a daunting target of 324 to win. In reply, Maharaj hurried the host’s demise in St. Lucia as they were all out for 165 before tea on the fourth day.

(With Agency Inputs)

Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, IPL Live Scores, and get exclusive insights with the RCB vs KKR Live Score, IPL 2024 Schedule, match highlights, and more. Explore a comprehensive Cricket Schedule, track the race for the Purple Cap and Orange Cap in IPL 2024, check Virat Kohli performance and stay ahead with all the cricket-related updates on the Hindustan Times website and app.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On