Sean Whitehead takes 10 wickets to record best figures in South African cricket for more than a century

Playing for South Western Districts in the second tier of the 4-Day Franchise Series, the left-arm spinner recorded figures of 10 for 36 to bowl out Easterns for just 65

Sean Whitehead achieved history on Saturday, becoming just the fourth South African bowler to claim 10 wickets in an innings.

Playing for South Western Districts in the second tier of the 4-Day Franchise Series, the left-arm spinner recorded figures of 10 for 36 to bowl out Easterns for just 65, having earlier taken five more wickets in the first innings and made scores of 66 and 45 with the bat. His side won by 120 runs.

The 24-year-old was a member of South Africa’s squad for the Under-19 World Cup, featuring alongside Proteas allrounder Wiaan Mulder and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne.

His 15-wicket haul in the match drastically improved his career record, which now stands at 39 wickets in 13 games at 25.64 apiece.

Whitehead’s figures are the second-best in the history of South African cricket, slotting in behind Bert Vogler, the leg-spinner who took 10 for 26 for Eastern province more than a century ago. Mario Olivier, the Warriors seamer, was the last player to take all 10 in South Africa’s domestic competition.

The last man to accomplish the feat anywhere in first-class cricket - only 89 have ever managed it - was Malinda Pushpakumara, the Sri Lankan left-arm spinner. He took 10 for 37 while representing Colombo Cricket Club in January 2019.

^{Photo credit: Cricket South Africa}

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