'Chuffed' Maharaj ready for Proteas debut
HollywoodBets Dolphins spinner Keshav Maharaj wants to make his mark in the Proteas Test series against Australia at the end of the month.
The team leaves for Australia on Sunday on the back of a first-ever ODI series whitewash over the Baggy Greens. There is no doubt that the Test series will be far more gruelling, but the Proteas will be brimming with confidence after hitting their straps in the shorter form of the game.
The team will travel with two uncapped Test spinners in Tabraiz Shamsi and the Dolphins’ Maharaj. Both have been in fine form and deserve to make their Test debuts in November.
Durban’s Maharaj will bring a bit more to the plate in terms of versatility as an out-and-out allrounder – however he hasn’t been tested at international level. There is every possibility that the 26-year-old will get a shot but he said he was content to be travelling with the Test squad and is looking forward to the experience.
“I think it is 90 percent sunk in but once I hit that flight and touch-down on Australian soil then I will feel every moment of it. It’s been overwhelming so far but we are fortunate to have finished our four day game a lot earlier than expected and it’s given me time to settle in and get ready for Australia,” Maharaj said ahead of the trip.
Maharaj made a good contribution with the bat in the Dolphins 1st innings against the Lions this week but couldn’t emulate his bowling performance against Warriors a week ago. In that clash, he took 14 wickets for 157 runs which may have directly influenced his call up for the Test series.
His inclusion in the Proteas squad has been a long time coming. He made his first class debut back in 2006 but has been knocking on the door in recent years.
“It’s been a long process and a long journey and there was no time-frame as to when I would have liked to have played for South Africa. It’s just been hard work, dedication, commitment and a lot of sacrifice,” Maharaj said.
“Hard work may pay off but it doesn’t happen overnight. Fortunately I am seeing some of the reward at this stage in my life. I’m quite chuffed with the way things have panned out so far and every season I just want to keep improving.”
The real challenge lies ahead as a tour ‘Down Under’ is notoriously hostile and challenging. Australia may have been poor in the ODI series but they are a force in Test cricket and will be buoyed by home advantage.
Maharaj has a sole tour with the SA A team under the belt and admitted that he wasn’t sure what to expect.
“To be honest I just want to go there and execute my skills as best I can whether it be a turning, bouncing or flat wicket. I had a chat to Paul Harris and he gave me some advice having played a lot of Test cricket over there.
“He mentioned that the crowd and the players can be quite hostile so I must be able to deal with that,” Maharaj said.
The Proteas depart for Australia on Sunday – while the first Test gets underway on November 3 in Perth.
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