The seasoned Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj is locked and loaded ahead of the 1st Test against Bangladesh which starts Monday in Dhaka.

South Africa will take some good momentum into the crucial series in the World Test Championship following their recent 1-0 series win against the West Indies in the Caribbean.

A handful of injuries led to a slightly different squad that headed to the subcontinent, and while the spirits are high, they are under no illusions as to how tough the series will be.

Spin will be a key focus of the Proteas in the series and hence they named three frontline spinners in their squad Keshav Maharaj, Dane Piedt of the Knights, and the former North West Dragons captain, Senuran Muthusamy.

In addition, the captain for the 1st Test, Aiden Markram, as well as Tristan Stubbs, and potential debutant, Dewald Brevis, are all spin options as well.

Dane Piedt. Photo: Cricinfo

Brevis (21) had long been touted to play international cricket, and he has already played in two T20 Internationals, however, Test cricket is a different beast, and this is where the men are separated from the boys.

Brevis was included in the squad at the expense of the injury Temba Bavuma, and it is unlikely that he would have done enough to play in the 1st Tests, especially considering the big-hitting batter wasn’t named in the initial touring squad.

The seasoned spinner and a senior leader in the team, Maharaj, told OFM Sport he is certainly excited about Brevis. “I think if you look at Brevy, he comes with a pedigree,” said Maharaj.

“There’s not many that sort of have his skillsets and potential that he has at such a tender age. To see him go about his business with both bat and ball in the nets is quite encouraging to see.”

Dewald Brevis. Photo: Cricinfo

“I'm sure at some stage he will get his opportunity and hopefully he can grab it with both hands.

“He’s a great kid, I’ve been spending quite a bit of time with him off the field. He’s quite a funny character and the boys have enjoyed him very much.

“He settled in quite nicely so hopefully when his time comes, all the sort of welcoming that he had from all the players can translate on the field to make him be the best version of himself when his opportunity does come about.”

Play between the Tigers and Proteas at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka is scheduled to start on Monday at 05:30

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg