Keshav Maharaj has etched his name in history by becoming the first South African spinner to achieve this milestone in Test cricket.
All that remained was one wicket. It took Maharaj just 40 balls to reach the landmark of 200 Test wickets, marking a remarkable achievement for the experienced left-arm spinner. His name is now part of cricket history.
On the second day of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, Maharaj reached this milestone, becoming the first spinner in South Africa’s 136-year Test history to take 200 wickets.
He came into the match with 199 wickets to his name. Leading the team in this series due to regular captain Temba Bavuma’s injury, the 35-year-old spinner trapped Craig Ervine lbw in his seventh over of Zimbabwe’s first innings to reach the 200-wicket mark.
Later in the innings, Maharaj took two more wickets.
Maharaj became the ninth South African bowler, combining pace and spin, to take 200 or more wickets in Tests. He achieved this feat in his 59th Test match.
Among South Africa’s highest wicket-taking spinners, Maharaj leads the list, followed by former off-spinner Hugh Tayfield. Widely regarded as the country’s greatest spinner, Tayfield ended his career with 170 wickets from 37 Tests. Maharaj surpassed him last year during the Guyana Test against the West Indies, becoming South Africa’s most successful Test spinner.
Former left-arm leg spinner Paul Adams ranks third with 134 wickets from 35 Tests.
Leading South Africa’s overall Test wicket tally is former pacer Dale Steyn, who took 439 wickets in 93 Tests.
