EFFINGHAM resident, Keshav Maharaj, is one of two uncapped players selected for South Africa’s tour of Australia next month. On Monday last week, Cricket South Africa announced that the Dolphins all-rounder along with Unlimited Titans spinner Tabraiz Shamzi, had been called up to Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia.
Maharaj was destroyer-in-chief of the Warriors recently when he took career best match figures of 13/157 as well as scoring a better than a run-a-ball 72 to help set up victory, and in the same breath bag the man of the match award.
Although this last performance has improved the all-rounders shares in cricketing circles, he has been at the forefront of the Dolphins’ efforts for a number of seasons, and through consistent performances with the red ball it has resulted in a call-up to the international arena.
“I had a bit of a frustrating off season and I just wanted to get going this season so it was a great way for me and the team to start the season,” Maharaj mentioned. “It was a surreal feeling getting that phone call and I think I still can’t quite believe I have been selected for South Africa. Currently, though, I am just focusing on contributing to the Dolphins side.”
Maharaj has become a vital cog in the Dolphins side in all three formats of the game. He is delivering with the ball but he has taken responsibility for scoring runs at the back end of the innings and has developed into a versatile all-rounder.
“I have worked hard on all elements of my game and I see myself as a proper all-rounder, especially after I started making good contributions with the bat towards the latter part of last season. I want to continue to improve my fielding as being a quality all-rounder makes it easier to get picked for sides. I am looking forward to meeting up with the team and taking in as much knowledge as I can but I am focused firmly on contributing to the Dolphins this week,” he explained.
