Veteran South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj gave a brilliant performance in the first game of the three-match ODI assignment against Australia. The 35-year-old ripped apart the Australian batting order and played a crucial role in the Proteas' victory over the Baggy Greens by a massive 98-run margin.
Handed a target of 298 to chase, Australia began their innings on a high with Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head forming a brilliant opening stand of 60 runs. However, it all went downhill for the hosts after the latter departed for 27 runs. Soon, Maharaj came into the attack and first dismissed Marnus Labuschagne in the ninth over before getting rid of Cameron Green in the 11th. He then dismissed Josh Inglis and Alex Carey on consecutive deliveries in the 13th over before clinching his fifer with the wicket of Aaron Hardie in the 17th over.
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This fifer saw the Baggy Greens get restricted to 89/6 at one stage. Maharaj went on to finish his 10-over spell with figures of 5/33 and it is safe to say that the home side wasn't able to recover from the damage that the spinner caused. Marsh's knock of 88 would emd up going in vain as the Proteas bundled out his side for only 198 runs and scripted a famous victory.
Maharaj clinched a massive record with the fifer
This fantastic bowling display saw Maharaj not only get adjudged as the Player of the Match, but also become the first South Africa spinner in history to take over 300 scalps in international cricket. The 36-year-old currently has 304 international wickets under his belt. He has been the most successful in red-ball cricket, picking up 203 wickets in 59 matches. Elsewhere, he has 63 wickets in ODIs and 38 scalps in the shortest format.
"I made my debut in 2016 in Australia so it's a wonderful opportunity to get my first five-for. Just trying to utilize the conditions, the wicket was a little bit sticky with the newer ball so just tried to utilize that and got the reward," Maharaj said after the match, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Meanwhile, the second ODI encounter of the ongoing series between Austrralia and South Affrica will be held on August 22 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena located in Mackay.