Proteas spin wizard Keshav Maharaj has signed for Lancashire Cricket Club.

The 28-year-old left-arm spin bowler has signed for the remaining four Specsavers County Championship matches in the 2018 season.

Maharaj has a wealth of experience on the international stage, playing 22 Test matches for South Africa and taking 90 wickets at an average of 27.

Maharaj was the toast of South Africa during the Sri Lanka tour after taking South Africa’s best bowling figures since readmission to international cricket in 1991. His 9-129 in the first innings – and 12 wickets in the match – at Colombo were a colossal achievement.

Maharaj played in every Test match during South Africa’s tour of England last year, picking up 17 wickets, and currently has 387 first-class wickets (average 27.00) from 105 matches.

‘We’re really pleased that Keshav has joined the Club. He’s a world-class spinner and will strengthen our bowling attack for the final four Championship games,’ said Glen Chapple, Lancashire’s Head Coach.

‘He is an international bowler with experience of bowling in English conditions and we’re looking forward to welcoming him to Emirates Old Trafford.’

Maharaj’s skills with the bat will also be appreciated by Lancashire – he has two first-class tons to his name as well as seven half-centuries.

‘I’m thrilled to be signing for Lancashire for the remainder of the season. Having previously played in England with South Africa, it’s been an ambition of mine to return and play county cricket,’ said Maharaj.

‘I’m very much looking forward to joining up with the squad and hopefully I can make a significant contribution to help the team during my time here.’

Maharaj will go straight into the Lancashire squad for the upcoming Specsavers County Championship clash against Worcestershire at Southport and Birkdale Cricket Club.

Photo: Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/AFP/Getty Images