A deeply disappointing tour of Australia has been tough for every member of the Proteas squad but it has been harder on certain players than others. Only Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne have enhanced their reputations with a couple of fiery spells of fast bowling and fighting innings with the bat while the top-order batsmen have been especially missing in action.
As a senior member of the team and a vital cog in the bowling attack for the last six years, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj did not attempt to disguise his feelings after yet another bruising day at the hands of the Australian batsmen on the second day of the Sydney test which saw the home side reach 475-4 with opener Usman Khawaja unbeaten on 195 and Steve Smith (104) scoring his 30th test century.
“Yes, it has been a tough tour, to say the least,” Maharaj admitted after finally claiming his first wicket of the series when Smith chipped a return catch back to him two balls after reaching three figures. It left Maharaj with an analysis of 1-108 from 25 overs and series figures of 68.5-4-260-1.
For a bowler accustomed to exerting control and at least slowing the scoring rate if not taking wickets, Maharaj has managed just four maidens in two tests at the MCG and SCG. He bowled only two overs in the first test at the Gabba. Was there a particular reason for his struggles?
“I sat last night thinking about the same thing. I haven’t changed anything, I’ve been working hard and haven’t changed anything. There are natural ebbs and flows in cricket…if I was a machine you could plug me in to see how low my batteries are, but that’s the way it goes,” said Maharaj, one of the Proteas’ few multi-format cricks.
“We expected the wicket to turn more at the start of the test (in Sydney) but the weather has played a role with the wicket getting wet during the rain showers. From experience in Australia, the wickets are usually really good, you’re not going to get as much spin as anywhere else in the world, but you can work with the bounce,” Maharaj said.
“But if you are behind the eight-ball it becomes difficult to bowl in a certain way, with spread fields. But it gives an take and you have to be consistent, and I haven’t been if I’m honest. It’s something I need to address,” a dejected Maharaj said. At least the wicket of Smith gave him reason to smile. Barely. “Everyone wants wickets when you bowl like batsmen want runs, so it was a relief.”
Maharaj is not alone in being short of wickets among the Proteas bowlers which, of course, should also reflect on the quality of the opposition.
“Fair play to their top order, they have batted superbly to lay the platform. Take nothing away from them, they have good game plans and they don’t deviate from them. But I have also dished up a few for them, to be fair,” Maharaj said.
If the Sydney rain finally relents South Africa’s top order will be charged with saving the test and avoiding a 3-0 whitewash with insufficient time remaining to even contemplate a consolation victory.
“Our batters have been chatting about plans and taking a leaf out of the book of Usman and Steve Smith, leaving well and taking their scoring opportunities. In the position we are in the more time taken out of the game the better, to be honest. But it also puts Australia in a position where they have to make a play if they want to win it.”