PORT OF SPAIN, AUG 10: Keshav Maharaj's discipline and persistence earned him three important wickets as the West Indies were limited to 145-4 in reply to South Africa's first innings total of 357 at the end of the third day of the rain-affected first Test at Queen's Park Oval on Friday.
On a turgid surface which tested the patience of batsmen and bowlers alike, Maharaj's figures of 3-45 from 28 probing overs underscored his increasing value to a Proteas team which traditionally relied heavily on a battery of fast and seam bowlers for their success in Test cricket.
After seeing fellow left-arm orthodox spinner Jomel Warrican (4-69) lead the home side's effort in eventually dismissing the visitors on the third morning, Maharaj knew he had the chance to take the fight to the West Indies' top order.
And his variations of flight and pace claimed the wickets of Mikyle Louis, debutant Keacy Carty and left-hander Alick Athanaze, among three rain interruptions.
"It's really about keeping it simple and being consistent and repetitive in conditions like this... and I like repetitions," said Maharaj at the end of play. "There's not much to be had from the wicket so I am trying to use different variations, different paces and trajectories to make it uncomfortable to score. Sometimes in Test cricket it's just about bowling in a particular channel and getting the dividends." —AFP
