Keshav Maharaj won by taking 5 wickets in the first ODI against Australia

New Delhi. Keshav Maharaj led South Africa’s spin invasion in the first ODI against Australia in Cairns on Tuesday (August 19) and took five wickets for 33 runs in 10 overs. In the first match of the series, the best figures of his career helped Temba Bavuma -led team to successfully save the score of 296 runs and win by 98 runs.

Maharaj completed his five wickets by dismissing Aaron Hardy on the second ball of the fifth over of the match. Maharaj has become the first South African spinner to take five wickets in 50 overs matches played in Australia. Along with taking the first wicket in the first ODI, he also completed 300 wickets for South Africa.

Maharaj opened his wicket account by implicating Marnas Labushen (1 run in 6 balls) on the first ball of his spell, and then bowled Cameron Green on the first ball of the second over for three runs in eight balls. In his third over, Maharaj dismissed Josh English (5 runs in 9 balls) and Alex Carrie (Golden Duck) off the third ball.

He is the first spinner for South Africa to dismiss at least 300 batsmen in international cricket. Imran Tahir, who took 291 wickets in his career in his career, after Maharaj in the list of spinners taking the most wickets for South Africa in international cricket, and Nikki Bowe (196 wickets).