Keshav Maharaj ruptures Achilles while celebrating wicket

The South Africa left-arm spinner, who had just dismissed Kyle Mayers on review, was due to join Middlesex for much of the season from mid-April

South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj has ruptured his left Achilles tendon while celebrating a wicket against West Indies at the Wanderers, a month before he was due to begin a county stint at Middlesex.

The left-armer was reacting to the successful review of an LBW against Kyle Mayers when he collapsed, clinging to his heel, surrounded by his teammates.

After a period's treatment, he had to be helped onto a stretcher and then onto a medical cart, which drove him off the field as lunch was taken.

It was the sixth wicket to fall on a mad morning as West Indies were reduced to 34 for 6; Maharaj had earlier bowled Roston Chase.

^{Maharaj had to be driven off the ground (Phill Magakoe/AFP via Getty Images)}

Maharaj was due to join Middlesex as an overseas player between mid-April and the end of July; the county had been desperate to sign up a quality, experienced spinner after gaining promotion back to Division One of the County Championship in September.

Maharaj has a phenomenal – albeit scattered – record in county cricket; he took 17 red-ball wickets at 16.64 apiece during a stint with Lancashire in 2018, before claiming 38 wickets at 18.92 apiece a year later with Yorkshire.

In his absence, South Africa completed their victory by 284 runs, bowling West Indies out for 106.

Related Topics

• Middlesex sign Keshav Maharaj as overseas player for 2023 season

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