Life moves on for Kagiso Rabada, but now calls on Proteas batters to combat Aussie speedsters
Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada claimed his second five-wicket haul at Lord's on Wednesday. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: Picture: BackpagePix
LONDON: Kagiso Rabada has already delivered a special bowling performance. He may now have to double up with the bat on Thursday for the Proteas to keep going toe-to-toe with Australia in this fast-moving World Test Championship Final at Lord's.
The opening two sessions belonged to Rabada and the Proteas. They had the large number of Proteas fans in the stands chanting traditional South African songs as the Aussies were blown away.
'It felt like a home game,' Rabada said. But he also admitted that the eventual Australian may have been a few too many.
'212, you'll take that. But we thought probably 160 is what we should have had them at,' he said.
The fact that it was that much was largely due to a non-review by the Proteas when Rabada wrapped Australia's top-scorer Beau Webster (72) on the pads when he had just eight.
'Yeah, Corbin Bosch came down to find leg and he said it was out. And I was like, oh man! Rabada sighed.
'Yeah, it was a bit annoying. He didn't start off too well there. It looked like he was going to get out any ball. But I guess his positive intent got him through. Cricket's a funny game.'
It was no laughing matter, though, when Rabada's hard work was undone in the final session when the Australian seamers ran through the Proteas' top-order to leave Shukri Conrad's team at 43/4 when the stumps were drawn.
Unlike Webster, and Steve Smith's (66) counter-attacking approach at the crease, the Proteas batters never threw a punch in anger as the Australian attack landed one left hook after the other.
Southpaw Mitchell Starc was particularly impressive with figures of 2/10. But unlike Rabada that operated primarily in solo fashion, Starc had Pat Cummins (1/14) and Josh Hazlewood (1/10) for support.
'The ball was nipping quite a bit and at times moving off the slope quite a lot. But I still felt like batters could get in,' Rabada said.
'If you just bowled well and got more balls in the right area for a long period of time, then that's when you could create chances. They didn't miss their lengths and they bowled really well. So, we're going to have to combat that tomorrow (Thursday).'
The Proteas' chances may have nose-dived in that final hour, but it remained a day to remember for Rabada for so many reasons.
The fast bowler has been in the spotlight since testing for a banned substance and the spotlight was firmly on the 30-year-old to see how he would respond to the scrutiny.
Independent Media's Zaahier Adams will be at Lord's for the World Test Championship bringing you all the news, videos and podcasts. Picture: Independent Media
Image: Independent Media
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