Maharaj reflects on 'very special' Smith wicket

While Australians have agonised over umpiring decisions, including the one Aleem Dar made against Steven Smith in the first innings of the Perth Test, South Africa's new spinner Keshav Maharaj can't complain. He claimed his first Test wicket as a result of that lbw call that sent Smith on his way for a duck.

Smith, who had advanced down the track, missed his flick and was struck on the pad, and reviewed the on-field decision immediately after Dar raised the finger. Replays showed that even though he had come 2.8 metres down the track, the ball was hitting the edge of leg stump. Under DRS rules, both old and new, Smith was doomed, for an on-field "out" decision would only have been overturned had the ball been missing completely.

Steve Waugh called it a "brave decision," but Shane Warne labelled it a "bad decision," given how tight it was. Maharaj himself did not comment on the quality of Dar's call, but was pleased it went his way. "It looked pretty straight to me and obviously any bowler that hits the pads is going to appeal if he thinks there is half a positive that's going to come out of it," Maharaj said. "Fortunately it went in my favour."

Asked whether he thought the new DRS laws were good for the game, Maharaj gave the answer most bowlers would under the circumstances. "Bowlers also need a chance," he said. "Bats are getting bigger. Fields are getting smaller. It's nice to have something swing your way."

That Smith was the man dismissed only made the 'something' a little sweeter for Maharaj. "My first Test wicket is a critical moment in my career," he said. "Having someone of his calibre as my scalp is very special to me."

Wicket-taking is not necessarily something Maharaj can get used to because he understands his role to be more in the Paul Harris holding mould, especially in current conditions. "I did have a chat with 'Harro' before I got here and he had a few thoughts about bowling in Australian conditions," Maharaj said. "I'm trying to replicate what he did because he was one of the most successful spinners for South Africa.

"He said your job here is to rest the fast bowlers because conditions are in their favour rather than yours, and you will pick up a few wickets along the way. So try and stop the game from one end and let them strike."

That is the way Maharaj operated in Perth, despite the inevitable first-match butterflies, which he were well hidden. "I was very nervous on the first day," he said. "I didn't know what to expect. It's very intense. For five days you're focused on every ball. The only breaks you get is lunch and tea. It's a proper gentleman's game and a proper man's game and a test of character."

Bigger tests are sure to come but Maharaj is expecting them, and preparing to meet them as he did in his first Test. "I'm a spinner. I'm allowed to get hit now and then," he joked. "I'm just fortunate that my first Test worked out in my favour. Australia's not known as a country where the ball turns a lot so I'm just going to stick to my game plan and hopefully that's more than enough to help the team."