South Africa vs England: 4,4,4,6,6,4b - SA spinner Maharaj goes berserk as England concede most runs in an over

SA vs ENG: Keshav Maharaj smacked Joe Root, who picked up four wickets on penultimate day of Test, to all corners of the park as the England skipper set an unwanted bowling record in Test cricket.

South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj is known for his wicket-taking abilities but against England on the final day of third Test, his batting credentials came to the fore in Port Elizabeth. Maharaj smacked Joe Root, who picked up four wickets on penultimate day of the Test, to all corners of the park as the England set an unwanted bowling record in Test cricket.

South Africa's Keshav Maharaj celebrates after scoring a half-century.(AFP)

During the 82nd over of the South African second innings, Maharaj started off by hitting three boundaries off the first three deliveries. The next two balls were deposited into the stand by Maharaj while the last ball went for four byes. Root’s over resulted in 28 runs and this is the joint most runs scored in an over in them longest format.

Most runs in an over in Tests

28 (466444): Brian Lara vs Robin Peterson (2003-04)

28 (62466): George Bailey vs James Anderson (2013-14)

28 (44466b4): Keshav Maharaj vs Joe Root (2019-20)

27 (666621): Shahid Afridi vs Harbhajan Singh (2005-06)

26 (444464): Craig McMillan vs Younis Khan (2000-01)

The Proteas lost the third Test by an innings and 53 runs, handing England a 2-1 lead in the series, with the final match to be played in Johannesburg. The hosts have already made significant changes as four members of expanded squad have been added to the group.

The selectors have called up batsmen Temba Bavuma and Keegan Petersen, all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo and left-arm fast bowler Beuran Hendricks for the fourth Test. All four were withdrawn from four-day franchise matches which started on Monday.

Bavuma seems certain to play in Johannesburg after scoring 180 for the Lions franchise last week, with Zubayr Hamza the likely batsman to make way. Hendricks is a likely replacement for Kagiso Rabada, who is controversially suspended for his exuberant celebration of his dismissal of England captain Joe Root in the third Test.