KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has extended congratulations left arm spin bowler Keshav Maharaj for the world-beating feat of a test hat-trick for South Africa against the West Indies at Gros Islet, St. Lucia. This happened earlier this evening.

"It is only the second hat trick after Geoff Griffin v England at Lord's in 1960.

"Keshav Maharaj is the pride of our Province and a powerful inspiration to our youth in sport, " said the Premier.

"On behalf of government and the people of KwaZulu-Natal we salute this phenomenal achievement which goes down in the annals of great cricketing achievements of all time.

We also want to congratulate Cricket South Africa and the rest of Team South Africa on this achievement," concluded the Premier.

Issued by Provincial Government