WI vs SA: Keshav Maharaj Hat-Trick Sends West Indies Spinning
Keshav Maharaj completed only the second-ever hat-trick by a South African in Test history as the West Indies slid to 109 for six, in pursuit of a daunting target of 324, at lunch on the fourth day of
With the home side primarily concerned about the potency of the Proteas’ pace attack, reinforced by two early strikes from Kagiso Rabada and then a third scalp courtesy of a poor shot from Kyle Mayers, it was the left-arm orthodox spinner who ripped the heart out of the innings in the penultimate over of the session.
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Opening batsman Kieran Powell, who looked composed and assured through most of his innings of 51, hoisted Maharaj to deep midwicket where Anrich Nortje barely had to move in taking the catch.
Jason Holder prodded at his first delivery for Keegan Petersen to take the sharp catch at short-leg and then Wiaan Mulder pulled off a superb snare low to his right at leg-slip when wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua da Silva attempted a leg-side glance to the hat-trick delivery.
The South Africans celebrated noisily as Maharaj joined fast bowler Geoff Griffin as the only players to take Test hat-tricks for South Africa. Griffin, whose career was subsequently ruined by doubts over the legality of his bowling action, achieved the feat against England at Lord’s in 1960.
