Maharaj's Kingsmead knowledge ace up Capitals' sleeve

KESHAV Maharaj returns to Kingsmead in a different shade of blue for the Betway SA20 Season 4 Qualifier 1 against Sunrisers Eastern Cape today, but his vast knowledge of the conditions will certainly play a significant role for the Pretoria Capitals.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

PRETORIA Capitals captain Keshav Maharaj with his teammates Wihan Lubbe and Sherfane Rutherford.

(Sportzpics)

Maharaj is a son of the Durban soil and knows Kingsmead better than anyone.

From the way the surface will behave when the tide comes from the east coast to the dryness of the soil.

It was certainly evident during the group stage match against his former team, Durban's Super Giants, when Maharaj delivered an economical spell, conceding just 22 runs in his four overs, in a high-scoring game.

"I've played first-class cricket here for the last 20 years. I understand the conditions," he said.

"Things have changed, a new groundsman taking over, so it's about assessing the conditions on the day, and getting the boys rallied up to play with high energy and high intensity."