Keshav Maharaj has bagged 9 wickets for 129 runs in 41.2 overs in the first innings of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo. He now holds the best bowling figures for South Africa since readmission in 1992.

Maharaj’s 9/129 is South Africa’s all-time second-best after Hugh Tayfield’s 9/113 against England in 1957. Lance Klusener had the record since readmission when he took 8/53 against India nearly 22 years ago.

The South African left-arm spinner has become only the sixth bowler to take 9 wickets in an innings of an away Test match. In fact, this is the first time a visiting bowler has taken a 9-for in 21st century which means Maharaj has the best figures in away Test matches this century. Nathan Lyon took 8/50 against India in Bengaluru last year.

Maharaj took 8 wickets on the first day when Sri Lanka went to stumps at 277/9. It took a while for him to take Rangana Herath’s wicket to grab his ninth scalp. Sri Lanka made 338 on board.

Best bowling figures in away Tests (all-time):

George Lohmann (England) 9/28 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 1896

Sir Richard Hadlee (New Zealand) 9/52 vs Australia, Brisbane, 1985

Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) 9/65 vs England, The Oval, 1998

Sarfraz Nawaz (Pakistan) 9/86 vs Australia, Melbourne, 1979

Sydney Barnes (England) 9/103 vs South Africa, 1903

Keshav Maharaj (South Africa) 9/129 vs Sri Lanka, Colombo (SSC), 2018

Watch Maharaj’s bowling spell here-

Best bowling figures in away Tests (21st century):

Keshav Maharaj (South Africa) 9/129 vs Sri Lanka, Colombo (SSC), 2018

Nathan Lyon (Australia) 8/50 vs India, Bengaluru, 2017

Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka) 8/63 vs Zimbabwe, Harare, 2016

Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) 8/70 vs England, Nottingham, 2006

Stuart MacGill (Australia) 8/108 vs Bangladesh, Fatullah, 2006

Best bowling figures for South Africa:

Hugh Tayfield 9/113 vs England, Johannesburg, 1957

Keshav Maharaj 9/129 vs Sri Lanka, Colombo (SSC), 2018

Goofy Lawrence 8/53 vs New Zealand, Johannesburg, 1961

Lance Klusener 8/64 vs India, Kolkata, 1996

Hugh Tayfield 8/69 vs England, Durban, 1957