While serving as the stand-in captain for South Africa in the first of their two-match Test series in Zimbabwe, Keshav Maharaj made history by reaching the 200 Test wicket mark on the second day in Bulawayo. By reaching 200 wickets, Maharaj thereby cements his place as the greatest spinner in South Africa's illustrious Test history and becomes the first South African spinner to achieve this milestone.

To get to that memorable 200 number, Maharaj knocked out Craig Ervine, his counterpart on the Zimbabwean squad. Having surpassed Hugh Tayfield's total of 170 Test wickets during the previous WTC cycle, he has now established his position as the top South African spinner in terms of Test wickets. As South Africa's only spinner at home and as the head of the attack in subcontinental and spinning situations, Maharaj has frequently led the way.

Now a veteran of 59 Test matches, the 35-year-old was visibly moved by South Africa's triumph over Australia at Lord's and was a member of the World Test Championship-winning squad. With Temba Bavuma recuperating from the injury he sustained in the final, Maharaj had the chance to celebrate this milestone by leading a revamped squad in Zimbabwe.

The first Test match between Zimbabwe and South Africa is under the latter's control

He took figures of 3-70 in Zimbabwe's innings, which included the important wickets of Ervine and another seasoned left-hander, Sean Williams, before ending the innings with the final wicket to secure a 167-run lead in the first innings. Debutante Codi Yusuf, who opened the bowling and took three wickets, and Wiaan Mulder, who took four wickets himself, helped him.

Previously, Corbin Bosch and Lhuan-dre Pretorius both scored a century on their first attempt. Before declaring the innings late on day one, Maharaj also made a crucial 21 down the order with the bat to help South Africa reach 418/9.

With 202 wickets in his Test career and an average of 29.62, which is a respectable figure for a nation that has historically lacked top-tier spinners, Maharaj is currently the ninth-highest Test wicket-taker for South Africa. He will be hoping to surpass Vernon Philander, who has 224 wickets, this year.

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