KESH IN HAND

THE Proteas have been handed a groot boost with the return of spinner Keshav Maharaj for the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi at 7am on Monday, captain Aiden Markram confirmed.

Maharaj, 35, missed the eerste Test in Lahore – which Pakistan won by 93 runs – due to a groin injury.

Markram praised Maharaj’s experience and skill set, saying his return is a key factor as South Africa look to bounce back and level the two-match series.

Markram wysed: “Obviously, it’s great to have him back in the camp.

“He brings lots of experience and a really good skill set as well, so we’re looking forward to this game starting tomorrow [Monday], which is an opportunity for us to level the series, but also to keep improving in these conditions and fixing some of the stuff that we feel needs fixing from the first game.”

With 203 wickets in 59 Tests, Maharaj is the Proteas’ most successful spinner and brings much-needed expertise, especially in spin-friendly subcontinent conditions.

Reflecting on last week’s first Test defeat, Markram admitted his span needs to improve and adapt better to local conditions.

He added: “We’re expecting it to spin. We’ve expected those types of conditions from day one, and it’s about us having done some homework post the first Test and coming up with new plans to hopefully counter that and give ourselves a chance of succeeding in these conditions.

“I suppose when you get to spinning conditions, the guessing game is always how long until it really starts to spin exaggeratedly.”

The Proteas played three spinners in Lahore, and Maharaj’s return could see one of Simon Harmer, Senuran Muthusamy or Prenelan Subrayen dropped from the XI.

Pakistan’s win in the opening match ended SA’s 10-match winning streak in Test cricket.