Overlooked for South Africa’s T20 series, veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj says he still has plenty left in his career<\/p>\n
Keshav Maharaj is hopeful his days as South Africa’s three-format spinner aren’t over after being left out of the recently concluded T20 series.<\/p>\n
No SA spinner in history has as many international wickets as Maharaj’s 299 and the 35-year-old is eager to fight his way back into the T20 side starting with the BKT Tyres ODI series starting on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Maharaj is one of five changes to the Proteas squad for the change of formats, coming in alongside ODI captain Temba Bavuma, Wiaan Mulder, Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi.<\/p>\n
The left-armer strained his groin during last month’s Test series against Zimbabwe but he confirmed that injury was not a factor in his non-selection.<\/p>\n
“Yeah, I’m available,” Maharaj told reporters in Cairns on Sunday.<\/p>\n
“I think ‘Shuks’ (coach Shukri Conrad) wants to try some things.<\/p>\n
“He hasn’t closed the door, so I’m hoping that I will get an opportunity to show him what I can do.”<\/p>\n
Maharaj featured heavily in last year’s T20 World Cup, at which SA lost in the final to India, and his short-term goal is to make his country’s squad at next year’s tournament that will be held in India and Sri Lanka in February and March next year.<\/p>\n
Pleased with the progress we’re making: Conrad<\/p>\n
South Africa have a whopping 16 T20Is between now and the main event and Maharaj has no plans to drop one of the formats to help his longevity in the game.<\/p>\n
“Not at all. Not yet,” Maharaj said.<\/p>\n
“The T20 World Cup in 2026 is a huge one for me.<\/p>\n
“For now, I’m happy to play three formats.<\/p>\n
“I still love bowling and until that passion falls away then I want to play all three formats for my country and be a match winner.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
South Africa will host the ODI World Cup for the first time in 24 years when, together with Zimbabwe and Namibia, they will put on cricket’s premiere event in 2027.<\/p>\n
He was one of the Proteas’ most important players during their heart-breaking 2023 campaign, where they lost the semi-final Australia in Kolkata.<\/p>\n
He played all 10 matches and took 15 wickets at an economy rate of 4.15.<\/p>\n
But Maharaj isn’t allowing himself to look that far ahead, saying the current series in northern Australia is more “an opportunity to try combinations” rather than full-on World Cup preparation. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Dropping out of the SA squad from the T20s are spin duo George Linde and Nqaba Peter, 19-year-old quick Kwena Maphaka and the vastly experienced Rassie van der Dussen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
BKT Tyres ODI Series – Australia v South Africa<\/p>\n
August 19: First ODI v South Africa, Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, 2:30pm AEST<\/a><\/p>\n August 22: Second ODI v South Africa, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, 2:30pm AEST<\/a><\/p>\n