Howzat, Keshav!
‘SURREAL”. That’s how new Protea recruit Keshav Maharaj described the feeling after being told of his national call-up.
Maharaj, 26, has been knocking on the door of the national selectors for some time now with his fine all-round performances with both bat and ball.
Although his inclusion in the squad is primarily as a spin bowler, Maharaj has posted some respectable scores batting lower down the order.
He scored 70 runs for the Dolphins in their Sunfoil fourday match against the Warriors over the weekend to go with his 13-wicket haul for 157 runs.
His bowling figures were the third best in SA franchise history (behind Kagiso Rabada’s 14/105 and Dale Steyn’s 14/110). However, Maharaj now holds the best ever figures for the Dolphins, beating Kyle Abbot’s 12/96.
He said he was relaxing in his hotel room in East London on Friday night when Linda Zondi, the chairman of the Board of Selectors made the call to him.
“It hit me from out of the blue. I had to slap myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming,” said Maharaj.
“Although I always harboured ambitions of making the national team, I was just concentrating on doing well for the Dolphins and left it in God’s hands if I were to be considered for national duty.”
Maharaj said he benefited greatly from a recent bowling camp in India that Cricket South Africa sent him on.
“Getting used to different bowling conditions and the ability to outsmart the batsman were the most important lessons I learnt in India,” said the left-arm orthodox spinner.
Maharaj has been involved in national camps before, but this is the first time he will represent South Africa on the international stage.
“Even if I don’t get a game this time around, just being a part of the SA squad is honour enough for me.”
Maharaj, who is still flush with excitement, said he hoped to get over the thrill by the time he touches down with the team in Adelaide for the first Test.
“My parents are even more excited than I am, and I am sure lots of hugs and pats on the back await me when I get to see them again.
“I had to hop on to the plane with the rest of my Dolphins colleagues and head to Johannesburg immediately after the Warriors game. I’m only going to be back home on Saturday to share my joy of being selected first-hand with my family.”
The Dolphins started their Sunfoil Series match against the Lions yesterday (Tuesday).