Keshav Maharaj says that patience has been key to his recent run of form.

Maharaj has been growing from strength to strength since making his debut against Australia in Perth in November 2016.

In his 11 matches played for the Proteas, he’s taken 43 scalps at an average of 27.65 and an economy of 2.89. To put this stat in perspective, Paul Adams, South Africa’s leading wicket-taking spinner since readmission, had 37 wickets at an average of 29.45 and an economy of 2.93 in his first 11 matches.

Adams did, however, make his debut at 18 years old, but this doesn’t take anything away from Maharaj’s recent performances.

Talking to SuperSport ahead of day three of the first Test against Bangladesh, the 27-year-old expressed the key to his recent success.

‘Patience,’ he said. It’s about hitting your lengths for consistent periods of time, which helps you see the rewards.’

The left-arm spinner made the major breakthrough for the Proteas on day two, removing an in-form Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim on 44.

He will be hoping to build on this, despite the flat deck in Potchefstroom.

‘We are going to try and get a few wickets this morning with the seamers coming upfront, but from a personal point of view, I want to settle in my lengths, bowl a few dot balls and build some pressure.

‘The ball has gotten a little bit softer and there’s not much rough to work with – I have to rely on the flight and trajectory of the ball as my weaponry, as well as consistency.’

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