Maharaj takes another seven-wicket haul to crush Bangladesh

Keshav Maharaj became the first bowler in the history of test cricket to take seven-wicket hauls in the fourth innings of consecutive test matches as he helped South Africa to an overwhelming 332-run victory in the second Betway test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Monday.

He and fellow spinner Simon Harmer needed only an hour under blue skies on Monday to dispose of the remaining seven wickets as Bangladesh were skittled for 80 in 23.3 overs after the tourists had resumed on 27 for three in 9.1 overs chasing a nominal 413 for victory.

The “Harmaraj” effect has been pronounced in this test series that South Africa won 2-0 with victory with victory in Durban last week by 220 runs. The two spinners took 29 of the 40 wickets to fall with Maharaj taking 16 and Harmer 13. Maharaj’s two seven-wicket hauls came at an overall cost of only 72 runs.

It was also notable in Bangladesh’s second innings in the two tests that only Maharaj and Harmer bowled, with the spinners hoovering up all 20 wickets without needing any assistance.

No surprises, then, that Maharaj took the man of the match and man of the series awards. His last scalp at St George’s brought up his 150th test wicket in just 42 tests, the most wickets taken by a South African spinner. Harmer now has 33 wickets in seven matches.

Maharaj joked afterwards that he’s not a “stats man” and that he will leave the contemplation of such matters for after the end of his career. “Obviously I’m really happy for the team and credit to them and to Dean (Elgar) for doing an exceptional leadership job.”

GROWN A LOT

Asked how he felt after going wicketless in Bangladesh’s first innings in Durban, Maharaj replied that Elgar had told him he was doing the right things and that his time would come. “I just repeated the same processes, with some minor tweaks, and I was happy to get my reward.”

He praised Harmer, saying he had done an “exceptional job and showed a lot of growth since he last played for South Africa”.

Referring to his batting (he scored 84 in South Africa’s first innings), Maharaj said simply that he “tried to show positive intent. But, at the end of the day, it’s all about the team,” he said.

Despite South Africa’s potent spin attack, Bangladesh will be haunted by the lack of fight they showed on the fourth morning. Desperate strokes were played, resulting in comfortable catches in the outfield, with little attention paid to how to survive in admittedly difficult conditions in which sharp turn and considerable bounce combined so effectively for Maharaj and Harmer.

Only Liton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz briefly got to grips with their task, showing some good shot selections as they hit 27 and 20 respectively. For the rest, it was like lambs to the slaughter, a strange fate for batsmen who have so much experience of playing spin in home conditions.

GREAT COMBINATION

South Africa’s captain, Dean Elgar, was full of praise for his team. “It has been a good last few months since I have taken over the captaincy. People say we have played this series with a weakened team. I don’t see it that way. I see it as a case of giving opportunities at this level and to test their skills at an international level.

“Kesh will always be my No 1 spinner but it was about he and Simon trusting my thoughts and processes. Luckily the conditions we played in helped us but what a combination they proved to be. It’s so great to see two guys go about their business at the highest level.”

Asked what made him happiest, Elgar replied: “The attitude of the young guys coming through and the runs we produced down the order. It’s good to see guys putting their hands up and putting pressure on the guys who are not here. It’s a great headache selection-wise if you have a lot of good options.”

South Africa have enjoyed a great summer, winning five of seven tests, beating India and Bangladesh and drawing with world champions New Zealand away.

Khaya Zondo made his test debut on Monday when Sarel Erwee was diagnosed with covid, as was Wiaan Mulder whose place was taken by Glenton Stuurman. Both men were illness substitutes under ICC regulations.

Report Day 1
Report Day 2
Report Day 3

SOUTH AFRICA: Dean Elgar (capt), Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Temba Bavuma, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Lizaad Williams, Duanne Olivier

BANGLADESH: Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das (wk), Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain