On Monday, South African spinner Keshav Maharaj scripted history, when he bagged a Hat-trick against West Indies in the second Test match in Saint Lucia. With this achievement, Maharaj became the only second Proteas bowler after Geoff Griffen to pick up a hat-trick in Test cricket, and the first one to do so in more than 60 years.
Maharaj scalped the wicket of Kieron Powell in the 37th over of the innings, as Powell was caught on 51 by Anrich Nortje at deep midwicket. Jason Holder (0) then nudged his first ball into the hands of Keegan Peterson at forward short leg.
The very next ball, Joshua Da Silva tried to tickle down the leg side and was caught by Wiaan Mulder at the leg slip, allowing Keshav Maharaj to script history.
HAT-TRICK Keshav Maharaj! 💥
He's only the second South African in history to take three in three in Test cricket.
Unbelievable scenes! #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/36zaMc2prF
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) June 21, 2021
Magnificent victory for South Africa
Keshav Maharaj turned the game in South Africa’s favour with his Hat-trick and handed them a 158-runs victory against West Indies. Kieran Powell is the only Windies batsman who managed to go past a half-century in this test match. Shai Hope (43) and Jermaine Blackwood (49) came close to a fifty in the second innings but could get to the milestone.
Earlier, South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton De Kock missed out on a well-deserved century when was caught by Shai Hope of Kyle Mayers bowling for 96 runs in the first innings of this test match. Keshav Maharaj ended this test with a total of 7 wickets including his hattrick.
Kagiso Rabada was adjudged as the Man of the Match for his all-round performance with the bat (21*, 40) and ball (5 wickets) in hand. Quinton De Kock was the Player of the series with a tally of 237 runs in 2 matches including a 141* in the first test. South Africa won the test series by beating West Windies 2-0.
