• Source:JND
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SA vs ZIM 1st Test: Keshav Maharaj carved his name in the history books as he became the first spinner from South Africa to complete 200 Test wickets.

Maharaj reached the landmark on the second day of the first match against Zimbabwe on Sunday.

The 35-year-old, who has been playing Test cricket for the past nine years, has gradually grown into the team's lead spinner in the five-day format.

Maharaj achieved the feat when he dismissed his Zimbabwe counterpart Craig Ervine in the 34th over, stumped by Kyle Verreynne.

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Maharaj has been South Africa's highest wicket-taker among slow bowlers since going past former off-spinner Hugh Tayfield's tally of 170 scalps.

Left-arm spinner Maharaj now has 202 wickets from 59 Tests, with 11 five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket match haul.

“HISTORY MADE! Keshav Maharaj claims his 200th Test wicket, the very first South African spinner to reach this milestone. A monumental milestone for our world-class left-arm spinner, written into the history books with pride and passion! This one’s for the ages, Kesh!” Cricket South Africa captioned their post. 

Maharaj also has 631 wickets from 166 matches in First-Class cricket. Zimbabwe were all out for 251 in response to South Africa's first-innings total of 418 for nine declared, with Maharaj returning figures of 3/70 in 16.4 overs and Wiaan Mulder finishing with 4/50 in 16 overs.

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Maharaj had earlier played a crucial knock of 30-ball 21 at No. 9, helping South Africa post a whopping 418/9 in the first Test against Zimbabwe. 

South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first in the match that got underway in Bulawayo on Saturday. South Africa declared their first innings at 418 runs, powered by a brilliant century from 19-year-old Luan Pretorius, who played a memorable knock of 153 runs off 160 balls.

His innings featured 11 fours and 4 sixes. With this feat, Pretorius became the youngest South African to score a Test century, reaching the milestone at just 19 years and 93 days old.