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The ongoing second Test between South Africa and West Indies has taken a dramatic twist on Day 4. Chasing a target of 324, Kieran Powell's half-century gave the home side a glimmer of hope. However, the 37th over of the innings almost finished the match as Keshav Maharaj took a spectacular hat-trick destroying the middle-order of West Indies.
Maharaj becomes 2nd South African to take Test hat-trick
The left-arm spinner had his first scalp in the form of set-batsman Kieran Powell when he invited a slog sweep by bowling a flighted delivery which went straight into the hands of Anrich Nortje. As the experienced all-rounder Jason Holder came out to bat, all the responsibility lied on his shoulders. However, the 29-year-old got out on a golden duck off another brilliant flighted ball. The spinner then dismissed Joshua Da Silva with another peach of a delivery as Wiaan Mulder took a low-diving catch as Maharaj completed a sensational hat-trick and went into ecstasy.
Notably, Maharaj became only the second-ever South African player to take a hat-trick in Test cricket after Geoff Griffin (against England in 1960).
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Keshav Maharaj - South Africa's star in making
The 31-year-old has undoubtedly become of the most crucial member of South African side in Test cricket. For a team which has relied heavily on pace bowling over the years, Maharaj has certainly given them a different dimension especially on wickets which assist the spinners. The left-arm orthodox is playing his 36th Test match of his career and took his 127th wicket today. South Africa would hope that the spinner can continue his heroics in time to come.
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