Cricket star stretchered off after freak incident celebrating a wicket

A cricket star has suffered a long-term injury and was stretchered from the field after collapsing while celebrating a wicket.

South African Keshav Maharaj faces a lengthy period out after suffering a freak injury during South Africa’s 284-run win over the West Indies in the second Test in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Cricket South Africa announced that Maharaj “has a complete rupture of his left Achilles tendon” and will see a surgeon on Monday.

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Keshav Maharaj of the Proteas injured. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

Temba Bavuma (3rd R) tends to Keshav Maharaj (R) after he injured himself while celebrating. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP)

Maharaj, 33, went down in obvious pain after he jumped to celebrate the wicket of Kyle Mayers shortly before lunch on the fourth day at the Wanderers Stadium.

He had to be taken off the field on a stretcher.

The left-arm spin bowler has been South Africa’s leading Test spin bowler since making his debut in 2016 but has more recently become a regular in the one-day international team.

Keshav Maharaj (R) is taken off the field by medical staff. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP)

South Africa have no Test matches scheduled until December but his injury will mean that he misses the one-day series against the West Indies which starts in East London on Thursday - and could put him in doubt for the World Cup in India in October.

Maharaj bowled only 2.5 overs before his injury but took two wickets for four runs to hasten a West Indian collapse to 106 all out

South Africa were bowled out for 321 earlier, with captain Temba Bavuma adding only one run to his overnight 171 before he was caught at deep square leg off Jason Holder.

Bavuma said he was “very excited” about the depth of strength among South Africa’s bowlers after his side completed its 284-run win.

But he said it was disappointing that a young side would not play another Test until they host India at the end of the year.

Originally published as Cricket star stretchered off after freak incident celebrating a wicket