Proteas Spinner Keshav Maharaj Destroys Bangladesh With Spinning Wizardry in Durban As South Africa Wins

Proteas Spinner Keshav Maharaj Destroys Bangladesh With Spinning Wizardry in Durban As South Africa Wins

Keba Mothoagae
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:59 PM
  • Spinner Keshav Maharaj was in sensational form for South Africa, spinning webs around Bangladesh batsmen for a crushing Proteas victory
  • Maharaj, the vice-captain, took seven wickets for 32 runs as the home side dismissed the visitors for 53, winning by 220 runs
  • The result was the perfect response to the historic recent One Day International series loss to the Tigers

It was a historic Monday morning at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban as South Africa crushed Bangladesh by 220 runs.

Keshav Maharaj took seven wickets for 32 runs as the Proteas dismissed the Tigers for an embarrassing 53 runs, chasing 273 runs for victory. Maharaj was in devastating tandem with fellow spinner Simon Harmer, who took three wickets for 21 runs.

south africa, bangladesh, proteas, tigers, marais erasmus, keshav maharaj, simon harmer, kingsmead, durban
South African spinner Keshav Maharaj celebrates another wicket as umpire Marais Erasmus lifts the dreaded finger. Image source: Getty Images.
Source: Getty Images

It was the first time only two bowlers were required by South Africa to bowl out the opposition in one inning. Furthermore, this was the first time that two spinners completed the feat where countless records were broken. For good measure, Bangladesh's second innings total of 53 runs was the lowest ever at the Kingsmead ground.

Maharaj's efforts earned him the man-of-the-match award, which could have gone to a few other players. Temba Bavuma scored a crucial 93 runs in the first innings, while Harmer also took four wickets for 103 in Bangladesh's first innings.

Had the visitors forced a draw or won, Mahmudul Joy's excellent 137 in their first inning would have shooed-in for the award.

The second and final Test will start on Thursday, 07 April in Gqeberha, with the Proteas looking to seal the series. This would be the perfect salve after losing the ODI series 2-1 to Bangladesh.

South Africa vs Bangladesh First Test day 1 report: Proteas on top... just!

South Africa finished day one of the first Test against Bangladesh at Kingsmead in Durban slightly ahead.

As reported on Sports Brief, the match had an inauspicious start as it was delayed by half-an-hour because of a faulty sight screen.

Captain Dean Elgar top-scored with 67 runs, while Temba Bavuma headed into the shed unbeaten on 53, with the score on 233/4 at stumps.

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Keba Mothoagae
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