OTD | Keshav Maharaj became only the second South African to take a hat-trick in Test cricket against West Indies in 2021

Left-arm orthodox bowler Keshav Maharaj on 21 June 2021 bagged a hat-trick against West Indies to hand South Africa a magnificent 158-run win in the second Test. A hat-trick is regarded as one of the most remarkable achievements by a bowler irrespective of format. This is a very rare feat in the game and for the same reason, Maharaj is only the second Proteas bowler to achieve this credit in Test cricket. 

It was in the last innings that Maharaj spun a web around Windies’ batters to record his spell in the history books. Invited to bat first at Gros Islet in Saint Lucia, South Africa scored 298/10 in the first innings. Captain Dean Elgar and keeper-batter Quinton de Kock’s brilliant half-century were leading forces in their scoring. 

The hosts, in reply, were bundled out for 149 on the back of a collective bowling effort from the Proteas bowlers. Wiaan Mulder took three wickets, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi took two, while Anrich Nortje claimed one wicket. Rassie van der Dussen unbeaten 75 and Rabada’s 40 helped the visitors post 174 in the second innings and set Windies a competitive target of 324 runs. 

Rabada lays groundwork and Maharaj tears apart 

Rabada continued his shining form as he dealt an early blow to the Caribbean team’s hopes. He dismissed the opposition skipper Kraigg Brathwaite cheaply in the ninth over and laid the foundation for South Africa’s victory. The right-arm pacer then removed Shai Hope and Kyle Mayers. Later the show was led by Maharaj, who stunned the hosts with a scintillating fifer. 

He started with the wicket of dangerous Kieran Powell (51 off 116). The 34-year-old’s next three wickets came in a row, making him the first Proteas cricketer in more than 60 years to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. Maharaj’s magic was in the 37th over, his eighth of the day, when he dismissed Kieran Powell, Jason Holder and Joshua Da Silva. 

Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales also fell prey to Maharaj’s left-arm spin. West Indies bowled out for 165 runs and South Africa whitewashed the two-match series. The previous South African player to take a Test hat-trick was Geoff Griffin in 1960 against England at Lord’s. 

Also read: England smashed a massive total of 481 against Australia in 2018