‘One of the most balanced bowling attacks’ – Keshav Maharaj confident of South Africa’s chances at WTC Final 2025

Keshav Maharaj has expressed confidence in South Africa’s bowling attack for the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, crediting its balance and variety as a cornerstone of their recent success.

The rip of Kagiso Rabada, the nip of Lungi Ngidi, the bounce of Marco Jansen and the guile of Maharaj does make one well-rounded bowling unit, something Maharaj is cognisant of. Additionally, South Africa also have the handy spin of Aiden Markram and the medium pace of Wiaan Mulder to rely upon.

“The variety in our bowling attack really complements each other. We’ve got height, pace, swing, aggression, and still maintain control. It’s probably one of the most balanced attacks we’ve had in a long time,” Maharaj told Star Sports.

“After the greats moved on, we went through a transition to find the right combination, and I believe we’ve now found a crucial element in our team’s success. The variety has been key — and if you look at how the cycle has played out, it’s been a collective effort from our bowlers. That shows how important variety is, especially across different conditions,” he added.

Maharaj also opened up on the enduring intensity and mental challenge of Test cricket ahead of the ICC World Test Championship Final, labelling it as a test of “skill and character”.

“I think Test cricket is a true test of both skill and character. You’ve got to be relentless for five days. You might win one day, but it’s the next four that truly matter — you can’t take your foot off the gas,” Maharaj said.

“When you win a Test match or series, you’re left physically, mentally, and emotionally drained because you’ve given everything. The game may seem slow in pace, but the intensity is unmatched. It’s a complete test, and in pressure moments, that’s when character really shines through — and that’s what makes Test cricket so special,” he added.