The Proteas spinner, Keshav Maharaj, will have a key role to play on Thursday when they face Australia in the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup in India.

On Tuesday, Maharaj, rose to the number one sport on the ICC’s rankings for One-Day International bowlers.

Maharaj has only taken 14 wickets at the World Cup to date, but his economy at the high-scoring tournament has been exceptional and in only one game he has conceded more than five-runs per over.

Australia’s frontline spinner, Adam Zampa, is the leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps to date.

The Proteas coach, Rob Walter, told OFM Sport that Maharaj is one of the most important players in their team.

“Kesh has been unbelievable and he is an artist really,” said Walter.

“He has shown great skill execution throughout the World Cup. It has been awesome to see him go about his business, on very different pitches being able to play a similar role and also be more of a strike force when conditions are in his favour.

“He's very important cog in our wheel and very clear in terms of what his specific roles are during the game and how he gets used.

“He is very important bowler in our group and I am looking forward to seeing him role in the semi-final.”

The Proteas and Australia will lock-horns at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday in the second semi-final

Meanwhile, on Wednesday from 10:30, India and New Zealand will battle it out in Mumbai in the first semi-final.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport