Keshav Maharaj shatters records with career-best Test figures
Colombo, July 21 : South African spinner Keshav Maharaj on Saturday shattered a few records when he ripped through the Sri Lankan line-up in the first innings on Day 2 of the second and final Test at the SSC Stadium here.
Maharaj returned career-best figures of 9/129, to become the 19th overall and only the second South African after Hugh Tayfield to achieve the rare feat.
Tayfield achieved the feat in 1957, when he scalped 9/113 against England in Johannesburg.
Till date, only Englishman Jim Laker (10/53) and former India skipper Anil Kumble (10/74) have picked all 10 wickets in an innings of a Test match.
Maharaj, who ended the opening day with eight wickets, picked up his ninth when he packed veteran Rangana Herath's (35) to end the stiff 74-run last wicket stand with Akila Dananjaya (43 not out) as the hosts were bundled out for 338. His effort is also the best against the Islanders by any opposition bowler.
In reply, the South Africans were bundled out for a paltry 124 in their first essay, with Akila Dananjaya (5/52) and Dilruwan Perera (4/40) even as veteran Hashim Amla became the third Protea to notch 9,000 Test runs.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
My party will complete 5-year term, says CM Siddaramaiah
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asserted that the Congress government would complete its five-year term, while sidestepping questions on whether he personally would remain in office for the full duration.
Addressing reporters here, he maintained that decisions on the leadership would rest with the party high command and refrained from giving a direct answer on his own tenure.
“Our party will complete five years,” Siddaramaiah said, when asked if he would complete a full term as Chief Minister.
On the issue of leadership, he reiterated that the final call would be taken by the party leadership, saying, “The high command will decide. There’s no point asking the same thing again.”
Indicating his readiness to travel to the national capital if required, he said, “If I am called to Delhi, I will go,” adding that he would seek an appointment with Rahul Gandhi if needed.
The talks on leadership change have intensified in the power corridor of the state where claims were made that Siddaramaiah would make way for his Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
The Chief Minister also underlined that recent by-election victories in Bagalkote and Davanagere South assembly segment reflected public support for the government, stating that this clearly shows that people have appreciated the Congress government and its programmes.
The CM also dismissed the opposition’s claims, alleging they lacked strategy, and said local body elections would be conducted as per rules.
