To see Gerald come here and be one of the leaders was super special, says Maharaj

Proteas stand-in T20 captain Keshav Maharaj has praised on fast bowler Gerald Coetzee for seizing the role of spearhead on the attack on the New Zealand tour.

In the absence of Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje, Coetzee was the most senior bowler in an inexperienced Proteas attack.

The 25-year-old would have been tentative coming into the series, having only just recovered from another long-term injury, but the extra responsibility seemed to bring out the best in him.

Coetzee charged in throughout the series, delivering thunderbolts in excess of 145km/h with a great degree of control. It reaped the rewards with the Durban’s Super Giants express finishing as the leading wicket-taker for the Proteas with eight scalps at an average of 14.62.

“Gerald's been around the system for a couple of years but to see him sort of come here and be one of the leaders in the attack was super special,” Maharaj said after the Proteas’ clinched a 3-2 series victory in Christchurch.

Maharaj believed that Coetzee was able to execute because his role was clearly defined within the team gameplan.

“I mean the main thing is he's been in our systems to bowl quickly, and we saw spells of that but also it was quite clear in his plans and obviously utilise the assistance that he gets.”

Overall, the skipper was pleased with the way the entire attack responded under pressure with fellow seamer Ottneil Baartman also claiming seven wickets, while teenager Nqobani Mokoena impressed in the first three matches of the series.

“I must commend my bowling attack,” he said. “The way they've bowled throughout the series has been super special. You know just whenever I've called upon anyone, they put their hand up and got the breakthroughs or restricted the flow of runs. 

“You know also a lot of debutants within the five-man series, and you know the guys just came in and put in performances that showed why they're here.”