South African spinner Keshav Maharaj expressed his happiness over the Proteas’ qualification for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final and reflected on the team’s growth over the last 18 months.
Speaking to Media ahead of the third season of SA20, Maharaj emphasized the impressive performances of both the men’s and women’s cricket teams. He expressed hope for clinching the WTC title and continuing their consistent performance in Test cricket.
Maharaj’s Reflections
“It’s been a phenomenal last 18 months for South African cricket, both with the women’s and men’s front… We’ve got 2 finals under the belt and a semi-final, and the women have reached 2 finals,” Maharaj said. “Hopefully, we can go one better and raise the trophy in one of the more prestigious formats of the game… I think we played some perfect consistent cricket in the Test format, and may that continue.”
The Proteas’ Fairytale Journey
The Proteas’ journey to the WTC Final has been remarkable. After a shaky start to the 2023-25 WTC cycle, including a 1-1 home draw against India and a 2-0 series loss in New Zealand with a second-string side, South Africa bounced back with seven consecutive Test wins.
These victories included series triumphs against West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. The team, bolstered by veterans like Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, and Temba Bavuma, also saw exceptional contributions from young talents like Ryan Rickelton, Marco Jansen, Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, and David Bedingham.
Looking Ahead
The WTC Final will see South Africa face Australia at Lord’s on June 11, 2024. Maharaj and his team aim to cap their inspiring journey with a win and etch their name in the annals of cricket history.