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[VIDEOS] Keshav Maharaj - The Maharaj of spin bowling

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Zeshan547

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Really impressive debut on one of worst venue for a spinner to debut, but he looks the real deal, what you think about his future potential, does he have in him to become spin bowling maharaj in the cricketing world?
 
Caught a bit of him today. Thought he would be just another darter, but bowled really slow with good loop.

Can become a very good all rounder in the future.
 
Where did he come from though? Is Imran Tahir injured?
 
Did Panesar take a 5 for at this venue before? on odd occasion spinners do take wickets here. Maharaj looked fairly decent today.
 
Varun said:
Where did he come from though? Is Imran Tahir injured?
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Dane Piedt is injured so Maharaj replaced him. I don't think Tahir is being considered for tests outside the subcontinent, especially Australia, considering his horrendous previous tour.
 
Decent spinner but the Ozzies played him so poorly.

We need to have a second spinner (all rounder) option vs them as they are just so awful against spin.
 
From CSA.

Standard Bank Proteas left-arm spinner, Keshav Maharaj, says he will stick to the same game plan if selected to play in the second Test match against Australia starting at the Blundstone Arena in Hobart on Saturday. Maharaj showed his skill and temperament in placid spin conditions during his debut match in Perth, and was the perfect foil for the two-man seam attack during his marathon 40 overs in the second innings.

The conditions in Hobart have been traditionally known to benefit both seam and spin, with statistics showing that spinners have more five-wicket hauls in the third and fourth innings than pace bowlers, which could make him a valuable weapon. There is however, heavy rain forecast for Saturday and Sunday, which could have an impact on the make-up of the attack for the match.

“Australia is not known for being a country where the ball turns a lot,” he said after the Proteas’ first training in Hobart on Wednesday. “I’m going to stick to my game plan and hopefully that will be enough to help the team.”

The 26-year-old says he received advice before the series from fellow left-arm spinner, Paul Harris, and has identified his role in the team as more of a containing spinner in the seam-friendly conditions of Australia. The vote of confidence from the coach, Russell Domingo and captain, Faf du Plessis, following his debut performance, which included the prized scalp of Australia captain, Steve Smith, is encouraging but he admits he will be taking it one game at a time in the ‘intense’ environment of Test match cricket.

“Conditions play a major factor,” he said of his role. “There will be a point in the game where I have to strike with the ball if it does start to turn or bounce, but for now I’m happy to hold up an end and let them (seamers) do the striking.

“He (Harris) gave me a few tips on what he thought it was like to bowl in Australian conditions,” he said. “I was trying to replicate what he did, he was one of the most successful spinners for South Africa, I was trying to follow in his footsteps.

“He said that your job is to rest the fast bowlers because conditions are in their favour rather than yours. You will pick up a few wickets here as long as you try and stop the game from one side and allow them (seamers) to strike.”
 
I like his age-26. That's a good age for a spinner/spin-all rounder to debut.
 
SA seem to be really lucky in spin department, i as a Pakistani wish we could have a quality spinner for LOIs who can also be 2nd spinner in tests along Yasir, just imagine if we had imran tahir for LOIs. But it wasn't meant to be.
 
Don't think he will do that well in test cricket. Australia are shockingly poor against spin these days. He'll do well in limited overs though.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Don't think he will do that well in test cricket. Australia are shockingly poor against spin these days. He'll do well in limited overs though.
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I also thought so. He doesn't have much variation for longer game - got the Aussies in 1st innings with his drifters, but they easily worked him out on a 4th/5th day wicket with 540 to defend. But, he is a great LO prospect - tight SLAO spinner & a very good late order hitter.

Tahir, Peidt, Mahraj & Shamshi actually makes the best spin attack for ODI these days :(
 
MMHS said:
I also thought so. He doesn't have much variation for longer game - got the Aussies in 1st innings with his drifters, but they easily worked him out on a 4th/5th day wicket with 540 to defend. But, he is a great LO prospect - tight SLAO spinner & a very good late order hitter.

Tahir, Peidt, Mahraj & Shamshi actually makes the best spin attack for ODI these days :(
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Yep. He keeps it tight and bowls much quicker in LOIs and flatter as well. But that actually works in LOIs these days with DRS.

They also have Phangiso for LOIs now that he has remodelled his action. I actually think they should've given Harmer another go in test cricket.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Yep. He keeps it tight and bowls much quicker in LOIs and flatter as well. But that actually works in LOIs these days with DRS.

They also have Phangiso for LOIs now that he has remodelled his action. I actually think they should've given Harmer another go in test cricket.
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Peidt is a decent bowler, they should opt for him in tests if Maharaj falls away.
 
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MMHS said:
I also thought so. He doesn't have much variation for longer game - got the Aussies in 1st innings with his drifters, but they easily worked him out on a 4th/5th day wicket with 540 to defend. But, he is a great LO prospect - tight SLAO spinner & a very good late order hitter.

Tahir, Peidt, Mahraj & Shamshi actually makes the best spin attack for ODI these days :(
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he can be the SAF Jadeja, he is the best batsmen out of all their spinners. I'm sure next time SAF tours Asia both Maharaj and Shamsi will be in their lineup.
 
I think i got this one right, the guy has a bright future, saf is so lucky. [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] and [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] how much do you rate this guy?
 
The guy attended the same school as Shaun Pollock. He started his career as a pace bowler but Pollock advised him to rather bowl spin as he was not have the physique to be a fast bowler
 
Poutine said:
Taking wickets again, not sure why some insist that he is a quota pick.
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I thought the quota system applied to the black majority, the fact there are so few black cricketers. Seen plenty of asian cricketers,think they're pretty well represented for their small numbers. SA should stick with him, he looks a class above the rest (well maybe not Tahir but for some reason has not done well in tests).
 
Whatever the quality of Maharaj, Bumble (David Lloyd) was disrespectful to say the wickets of Stokes and Bairstow were "bonus" wickets. Both of the deliveries were good (especially Baistow's dismissal), with the batsmen being out-foxed by the bowler. It wasn't as if Stokes/Baistow played a loose shot and gifted their wickets away (the same cannot be said for Dawson).
 
mak36 said:
Whatever the quality of Maharaj, Bumble (David Lloyd) was disrespectful to say the wickets of Stokes and Bairstow were "bonus" wickets. Both of the deliveries were good (especially Baistow's dismissal), with the batsmen being out-foxed by the bowler. It wasn't as if Stokes/Baistow played a loose shot and gifted their wickets away (the same cannot be said for Dawson).
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Bumble is just there for jokes. Don't take his opinion too seriously.
 
mak36 said:
Whatever the quality of Maharaj, Bumble (David Lloyd) was disrespectful to say the wickets of Stokes and Bairstow were "bonus" wickets. Both of the deliveries were good (especially Baistow's dismissal), with the batsmen being out-foxed by the bowler. It wasn't as if Stokes/Baistow played a loose shot and gifted their wickets away (the same cannot be said for Dawson).
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You misunderstood.

Perfect fast bowling conditions means they were a bonus
 
aloo paratha said:
Really good bowler this guy, imagine how he'll do on rank turners in India:ashwin
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I can't wait to see him in India.

He will get picked up by one of the IPL franchises for sure.

Of course, if they cite some quota excuse to ease him out of the SA team, he could always return to play for the country of his forefathers. :harby
 
gani999 said:
I can't wait to see him in India.

He will get picked up by one of the IPL franchises for sure.

Of course, if they cite some quota excuse to ease him out of the SA team, he could always return to play for the country of his forefathers. :harby
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Man why would you need Maharaj when you have sir Jadeja the ultimate rank turner expert. Se be thankful of what you already have.
 
The revs and drift this guy gets on the ball means even if there is only a little bit of spin in a pitch, he can be lethal as some will drift in, then spin away, and some will carry on with the arm.
 
Skilful bowler but need to use his brain more often. Bowled poor lines in the first innings of the first test.
 
Both teams are very poor against spin so the jury is out. Moeen took ten at Lords which tells you all you need to know about Saffers ability against spin. Maharaj seems ok.

Dawson is tripe.
 
gani999 said:
I can't wait to see him in India.

He will get picked up by one of the IPL franchises for sure.

Of course, if they cite some quota excuse to ease him out of the SA team, he could always return to play for the country of his forefathers. :harby
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He is playing Due to quota

Harmer would have been here otherwise
 
Hes bowled pretty well in this test at trent bridge and will probably enjoy bowling conditions at the oval as well.
 
Slog said:
He is playing Due to quota

Harmer would have been here otherwise
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Yeah, clearly Maharaj has been a senseless choice.

Maharaj FC Ave 26 SR 53 Intl Test Ave 25
Harmer FC Ave 31 SR 62

Just like that joke of a player Philander, these coloureds are keeping good white folk down. Did it feel better for you in the good ol' days?
 
New Yorker said:
Just like that joke of a player Philander, these coloureds are keeping good white folk down. Did it feel better for you in the good ol' days?
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Well, if the 'good' white folk had not treated the blacks like garbage and kept them in near-slavery like conditions under the garb of apartheid for generations then there would have been no quotas, would there?

Karma always comes back to bite you in the backside. Sad but true.

And Maharaj is bowling excellently, quota or no quota. And that is what matters.
 
gani999 said:
Well, if the 'good' white folk had not treated the blacks like garbage and kept them in near-slavery like conditions under the garb of apartheid for generations then there would have been no quotas, would there?

Karma always comes back to bite you in the backside. Sad but true.

And Maharaj is bowling excellently, quota or no quota. And that is what matters.
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He's the best domestic spinner in the country. There is no question that he should have been selected. If
he were white people like [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] would not have assumed that a more deserving colored player was
being held back by him. In fact, it is striking that all those who bemoan the savage injustice of today's
quota system have nothing to say about generations upon generations of black and colored players held
back under apartheid. How many Rabada's and Amla's were lost to those dark years? Where is the righteous
indignation on the behalf of these players?
 
gani999 said:
Well, if the 'good' white folk had not treated the blacks like garbage and kept them in near-slavery like conditions under the garb of apartheid for generations then there would have been no quotas, would there?

Karma always comes back to bite you in the backside. Sad but true.

And Maharaj is bowling excellently, quota or no quota. And that is what matters.
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I dont believe that someone today deserves to be rewarded or punished for the sins or deeds of his forefathers
 
New Yorker said:
He's the best domestic spinner in the country. There is no question that he should have been selected. If
he were white people like [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] would not have assumed that a more deserving colored player was
being held back by him. In fact, it is striking that all those who bemoan the savage injustice of today's
quota system have nothing to say about generations upon generations of black and colored players held
back under apartheid. How many Rabada's and Amla's were lost to those dark years? Where is the righteous
indignation on the behalf of these players?
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Maharaj is obv good and no problem. Though Harmer was dropped due to quota for not much fault of his own and is in good form for a while so likely may have held a spot otherwise

However the general point stands. The likes of Behardein, Bavuma, Phangsio, Phulokwelele have played a lot of matches which they wouldnt have if not for this quota.

Kyle Abbot would still be representing SA if not for the quota
 
Kyle Abbot was too chicken to fight for his place. He said himself, when everyone was fit he was gonna sit on the bench. Looking at the people that were keeping him out the team he shouldn't have any complaints. As for Harmer, he had his chance and blew it. A far better player has been found and he's a player of colour. Good!
 
Slog said:
Maharaj is obv good and no problem. Though Harmer was dropped due to quota for not much fault of his own and is in good form for a while so likely may have held a spot otherwise

However the general point stands. The likes of Behardein, Bavuma, Phangsio, Phulokwelele have played a lot of matches which they wouldnt have if not for this quota.

Kyle Abbot would still be representing SA if not for the quota
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Phehlukwayo isn't world class but he is a decent LOI player, played some decent hard hitting innings and has a knack of picking up wickets, handy LOI player. Bavuma lately has been one of the more consistent batsman in the test team and even Phangsio has decent bowling starts.

Not all eleven players in the team have to be all stars, there is room for decent players as well. Also it's curious how only you named the players that you did , lately SA also has had players like Cook, Kuhn, Harris and Levi play for them, none of these players are world class either and some may even be worse than the ones you talked about. So why aren't you outraged or concerned about their selections?
 
Slog said:
Maharaj is obv good and no problem. Though Harmer was dropped due to quota for not much fault of his own and is in good form for a while so likely may have held a spot otherwise

However the general point stands. The likes of Behardein, Bavuma, Phangsio, Phulokwelele have played a lot of matches which they wouldnt have if not for this quota.

Kyle Abbot would still be representing SA if not for the quota
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Who are the quota players that were blocking Abbott, Philander or Rabada? Unless you are implying that somehow Bavuma and Duminy were keeping Kyle Abbott out?
 
Poutine said:
Who are the quota players that were blocking Abbott, Philander or Rabada? Unless you are implying that somehow Bavuma and Duminy were keeping Kyle Abbott out?
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Philander had to play the WC SF over Abbot because of the quota system although Abbot had a pretty good previous game while Philander was on the bench...
 
aloo paratha said:
Philander had to play the WC SF over Abbot because of the quota system although Abbot had a pretty good previous game while Philander was on the bench...
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Yeah that was wrong but I am talking about the test team. Going by Abott's international and domestic record, he is a test bowler and thats his main format. But unfortunately despite being a good test match bowler, he wasn't a regular because SA has the likes of Steyn, Rabada, Morkel, Philander and Olivier, So IMO you can't blame the quota for Abbott leaving.
 
This series is my first proper look of him. Has a nice follow-through and gets plenty of spin and drift.

Apart from the 1st inns at Lord's, he's bowled with control allowing SA to rotate the pacers from the other end. Doing the job Yasir didn't do at Old Trafford and Edgbaston (2nd inns) last summer.

With him, SA have someone who'll be able to exploit the conditions in Asian tours.
 
Maharaj is alright. Nothing special. Does not spin the ball much, but he is accurate for the most part though.

We can judge him when he tours subcontinent/UAE the next time.
 
troodon said:
Maharaj is alright. Nothing special. Does not spin the ball much, but he is accurate for the most part though.

We can judge him when he tours subcontinent/UAE the next time.
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He will spin the ball when there is turn on offer. Anybody can turn the ball square on pitches from Mars.
 
All the commentators were praising his performance today (as well throughout the series)- particularly Athers and Warne.
 
Simon Harmer would have been 10 times the performer. We may not feel it but these quota players will destroy SA cricket inevitably.
 
MMHS said:
I also thought so. He doesn't have much variation for longer game - got the Aussies in 1st innings with his drifters, but they easily worked him out on a 4th/5th day wicket with 540 to defend. But, he is a great LO prospect - tight SLAO spinner & a very good late order hitter.

Tahir, Peidt, Mahraj & Shamshi actually makes the best spin attack for ODI these days :(
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He looks good in tests, he's proven you wrong.
 
ExpressPacer said:
Simon Harmer would have been 10 times the performer. We may not feel it but these quota players will destroy SA cricket inevitably.
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What about Heino Kuhn who's averaging 13 in this series and looks like a walking wicket ? Is he quota too ?

Or Duanne Olivier who's been spraying the ball around ? If they were black we'd never be hearing the end to the complaints.
 
Markhor said:
What about Heino Kuhn who's averaging 13 in this series and looks like a walking wicket ? Is he quota too ?

Or Duanne Olivier who's been spraying the ball around ? If they were black we'd never be hearing the end to the complaints.
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Lets be honest. Duane Olivier IS playing because of the ridiculous quota rules

If the quotas didnt exist, Kyle Abbot would have been the one bowling
 
ExpressPacer said:
Simon Harmer would have been 10 times the performer. We may not feel it but these quota players will destroy SA cricket inevitably.
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Empty talk bud. Dude's already outperformed spin track bullies like Ashwin and Yasir in NZ, Australia and now England. He averages 25 for a reason. 10 times the performer, my foot.
 
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Chief Destroyer said:
Empty talk bud. Dude's already outperformed spin track bullies like Ashwin and Yasir in NZ, Australia and now England. He averages 25 for a reason. 10 times the performer, my foot.
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Yasir is not a spin track bully
 
Chief Destroyer said:
Olivier is white?
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Yes I believe so.

The quota system is not just propping up inferior colored players

The problem is that due to the strict quota limitations in domestic cricket, the standard of the South african domestic system has fallen down significantly.

So duds like Kuhn (right now he looks one) ends up topping domestic charts and lookign like a beast because the domestic bowling standards are so low
 
Slog said:
Yes I believe so.

The quota system is not just propping up inferior colored players

The problem is that due to the strict quota limitations in domestic cricket, the standard of the South african domestic system has fallen down significantly.

So duds like Kuhn (right now he looks one) ends up topping domestic charts and lookign like a beast because the domestic bowling standards are so low
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Do you follow SA domestic?
 
really unremarkable, average is around 25 now but wont stay anywhere close to that
 
Chief Destroyer said:
Do you follow SA domestic?
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Not a whole lot but a lot of people who do are of this opinion

The quotas at domestic level are stricter and more. And less scrutiny and pressure of getting results
 
SA have never had any spinners- why assume that this guy is a quota player? What talented white spinner is he keeping out?

He's got 40 wickets in 10 tests at 25- most spinners dream of those stats. Even if he averages 30 he'll be the equal of Swann or Lyon, two of the best finger spinners of the last decade.
 
Man it seems I got this right, he really has tools to be a great all round spinner in all type of conditions.
 
Markhor said:
What about Heino Kuhn who's averaging 13 in this series and looks like a walking wicket ? Is he quota too ?

Or Duanne Olivier who's been spraying the ball around ? If they were black we'd never be hearing the end to the complaints.
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Go look at the match threads. Ive criticized them equally but my statements still stand, Harmer has performed tremendously this season in county on absolute roads and quite frankly, if not for the quotas, he would still be playing.
 
Chief Destroyer said:
Empty talk bud. Dude's already outperformed spin track bullies like Ashwin and Yasir in NZ, Australia and now England. He averages 25 for a reason. 10 times the performer, my foot.
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Ashwin is a spin track bully. Can't say the same for Yasir who has outperformed everyother spinner in the world in the UK.

Any-who, if not for the quotas, you and I both know Harmer would be in the squad.
 
So just because Harmer recently had one random purple patch at first class level, we will grouch about how he was victimized and discriminated against to let Maharaj undeservedly play for SA?

Harmer, in his brief international career, played on some of the most spin friendly surfaces while Maharaj has played on most unresponsive tracks. Yet Maharaj averages about 4-5 runs/wicket better than Harmer. Maharaj is easily a superior spinner to Harmer and nothing suggest otherwise.
 
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