PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (AFP) — Keshav Maharaj’s discipline and persistence earned him three important wickets as the West Indies were limited to 145-4 in reply to South Africa’s first innings total of 357 at the end of the third day of the rain-affected first Test at Queen’s Park Oval on Friday.

On a turgid surface which tested the patience of batsmen and bowlers alike, Maharaj’s figures of 3-45 from 28 probing overs underscored his increasing value to a Proteas team which traditionally relied heavily on a battery of fast and seam bowlers for their success in Test cricket.

After seeing fellow left-arm orthodox spinner Jomel Warrican (4-69) lead the home side’s effort in eventually dismissing the visitors on the third morning, Maharaj knew he had the chance to take the fight to the West Indies’ top order.

And his variations of flight and pace claimed the wickets of Mikyle Louis, debutant Keacy Carty and left-hander Alick Athanaze, among three rain interruptions.

“It’s really about keeping it simple and being consistent and repetitive in conditions like this…and I like repetitions,” said Maharaj at the end of play.

The one wicket to escape him was that of Kraigg Brathwaite, with the West Indies captain and opening batsman running himself out for 35.

Having seen the demise of opening partner Louis, also for 35, bowled through the gate on the stroke of the lunch interval, Brathwaite was soon back in the pavilion when he pushed a delivery from pacer Lungi Ngidi to mid-on and took off for a non-existent single.

Wiaan Mulder’s direct hit at the non-striker’s end found Brathwaite millimetres short of his ground to end an innings which had occupied 131 deliveries.

As he trudged off, the West Indies skipper did well to disguise his anguish on realising that he had been dismissed off a no-ball and also had given away his wicket just before rain caused yet another stoppage in play.