'Process driven' Keshav Maharaj happy to tick off ODI five-wicket haul box

Maharaj claimed figures of 5-33 in 10 unchanged overs as the visitors coasted to a commanding 98-run victory at the Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old spinner is now a veteran in the Proteas team, having notched up more than 200 wickets in Test cricket while his first five-wicket haul in the 50-over format came in his 49th appearance.

"I'm not someone who bowls for fivers," Maharaj said. "I'm a process-driven person, so I judge myself on my consistency and my length so it was more a sigh of relief to finally tick the box.

"You dream of playing international cricket, you dream of putting in match winning performances, and the dreams keep building.

"But to be able to tick the box of getting a fiver will always be special."

Maharaj is already recognised as South Africa's best-ever spinner since the country was reintroduced into international cricket in 1992, especially with his exploits in the Test arena.

He was part of the Proteas side that won the World Test Championship at Lord's in June and is looking forward to picking more trophies for his country in the white-ball formats.

Maharaj added: "There's a lot more that I want to learn and a lot more for me to sort of achieve in my career, especially with the team. I want to try to win more trophies together as a nation.

"Hopefully I can keep raising that bar for spinners coming through in our system. A lot of people ask me what's next? And even though I'm 35 years old, I believe in my journey. I'm always learning.

"The day I stop learning is the day that I have to walk away from the game. I'd like to think I'm a scholar of the game. I watch a lot of cricket. I'm always bouncing ideas, even from the younger generation. Because it's nice to see how the difference in thinking works. I'd like to think I'm getting better as age goes on."

The Proteas will hope Maharaj keeps up his form as they look to close out the series in Australia with the second game scheduled to be played in Mackay on Friday.