Kagiso Rabada vows to rise above media scrutiny ahead of World Test Championship final
FOLLOWING the recent drug scandal, Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada vowed that he will not be slowed down in the World Test Championship final, regardless of what the English, Australian media or the Australian players throw at him.
With the Australian team known for their bully mentality and approach to the game, it goes without saying that they will use it in an attempt to deter Rabada from the job at hand.
The media in the United Kingdom is known for its critical approach, especially when professional athletes have been found in the wrong, as in Rabada's case.
However, the 30-year-old is fully aware of what lies ahead as they land in London today, having flown out from OR Tambo International Airport on Friday.
"That doesn't change if I'm playing the game of cricket. That's just what we have to deal with as sportsmen, as athletes. Any verbal abuse or if the media wants to say something about you, it's normal. That's the field that we play in," Rabada told the media on Friday.
"You can't be ignorant of it, you just have to be aware of it 100 per cent, but I don't think it's anything that's going to slow me down."
With the fast bowler set to lead the bowling attack in what is undoubtedly the biggest Test match of their careers, Rabada emphasised that he is still focused on his role despite all the off-field drama that follows him.
'It's always been about cricket . Unfortunately, as athletes, we are always going to be in the public eye. So a lot of things are going to be known about us than someone who's not in the public eye. It's not going to be the same thing for someone who's not (in the public eye)," said Rabada.
"It's the territory that we're in and moving into the World Test Championship, the focus is simple. The focus is really simple. It's about going there to perform. That's the whole reason that we're going there."
The last time the Proteas played at Lord's, they beat England by an innings with Rabada having taken a five-wicket haul and thereby slotting himself into the honours board at Lord's.
The fast bowler highlighted that this time around he the team's success is more important than individual success.
The 30-year-old reiterated that he has learnt his lessons from his ban and that he is grateful to be playing the game he loves again.
"Lord's is a special ground and I'm glad to be on the honours board there. To be there along with some great company. So hopefully I can get on it again. But if I don't get on it and we win, I'd rather take that," said Rabada.
If I had to elaborate a bit more and move away from it and see how it influenced me, I think it led me to a bit of introspection about myself, and took some time away from the game. The biggest thing that I took from it was having gratitude for playing the game that we love, and I'm just glad to be back playing again.
The decision to come back early was brilliant. I think that's a decision that I made. Could have tried to contest it and whatnot. I think that in my statement, I was very sincere about how I feel about it. I think as a player and as a man, people will have their different opinions about it, and I can live with that.
"There will be people who will be for you, there will be people who are against you and I can live with that. That's fine. (5:47) But I know that I can still play the game of cricket, and nothing changes.
"I'm going to keep playing for the country, keep doing my best, and live with whatever comes my way. The world doesn't revolve around me. There are people out there who are going through a lot worse. "
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
42 minutes ago
- The Herald
Bavuma and Rabada will be targeted at Lord's, says Petersen
Having opened the batting against Australia's most ruthless Test teams, former Proteas opening batter Alviro Petersen highlighted that it is in the nature of the way the Aussies play their cricket to hunt for the head of the opposition team. In an exclusive interview, Petersen emphasised that the Aussies would be after Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada's heads in the WTC final at Lord's. A lot has been said about the Australian team's ruthless nature in the past. In some cases, many have perceived the so-called 'Australian' approach as being abusive and bully-like. However, many would agree their style and approach to Test cricket is the reason behind the many classic Tests the world has seen in Test cricket history. Their ultra-competitive, do-anything-to-win mentality has instilled fear in opposition Test teams, and their dominance over world cricket has commanded respect. Two weeks out to the World Test Championship final at Lord's between captain Pat Cummins' Aussies and Bavuma's Proteas, the Aussies are overwhelmingly favourites, partly because of the huge reputation they have built for themselves. Having played against some of Australia's best Test teams, Petersen told in an exclusive interview that the Australians would come for Bavuma's head in an attempt to deter the skipper and thus the entire team. Petersen says the Aussies will not be after Bavuma only because of his captaincy status, but also because of his recent form as by far the most consistent and technically sound batter in the Proteas Test team in the past couple of years. The former Proteas Test opener called for the reserved Bavuma to stand up for his team at every chance possible and get out of his shell more. 'Forget about his (Bavuma's) technique, forget about what he's done in the last couple of seasons or whatever the case might be, Australia hunt for the head and he's the captain, they're going to come for him,' Petersen told 'He needs to be up for it, to be mentally strong for what's going to come. Australia's a tough team to play, especially in finals. They're going to come for him. He will need to stand up. 'That quiet demeanour of Temba Bavuma is unfortunately not going to cut it in the final.' 'You need to stand up, because you're going to have (Australian) players that are all around you, and they're going to make you feel like the smallest thing under the sun. 'He needs to somehow stand up, even when it comes to prematch conferences. It's time to say, listen, we've got this, we're ready for it, we know what's going to happen, and whatever comes our way, we are prepared to throw the punches.' Petersen added that the recent drug scandal Rabada, this generation's greatest Test bowler, was involved in would have given Australia extra ammo. With the likes of former Australia Test captain Tim Paine having already publicly disclosed their displeasure with the way the situation was handled, Petersen believes the Cummins-led Test team will be vocal about it on the field to Rabada. 'They're going to jump on it. I mean, you've already seen former players jumping on it. 'They're going to jump on it like a wildfire, and, leading up to that Test match final, they're going to absolutely drill it and nail it into SA to say, you've got to try to keep this under wraps,' Petersen told 'This is already the thing I see coming through from the Australians: 'You try to keep this under wraps. How on earth would you have done that? It should have been a three-month ban. You're protecting certain okes'. 'Those sorts of things will come up, and ideally, what they want is [for] Kagiso Rabada to be affected by it.' The final will get under way from June 11-15 at the Home of Cricket, Lord's Cricket Ground in London. — SportsBoom
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Alviro Petersen warns Proteas: Australia a different kettle of fish in Lord's World Test Championship final
Ryan Rickelton Proteas openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram must prepare accordingly for the Duke ball at Lord's. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix ONE of the biggest questions that the South African batters will need to have answers for in the World Test Championship final is the slope at Lord's. Can the Proteas batters see out the Australian quicks with the slope at the famous London ground? Former Proteas Test opener Alviro Petersen, having played at Lord's, feels that Ryan Rickelton, who will open the batting with Aiden Markram, should have no problems with the slope, given that he plays at the Wanderers, where there is one as well. Petersen highlighted the importance of playing straight in England as an opening batter due to the conditions. 'I think Rickleton will be okay in terms of the slope because he plays at the Wanderers, where there's a slope. That will help him, or at least it will give him some sort of confidence to play on the slope,' Petersen told Independent Media. 'From a technical point of view, it's important, especially in England, that you look to play in the V early on. 'Now, remember if the dismissals are not caught behind, like in South Africa, where guys generally bowl slightly wide outside off-stump because of the bounce and trying to get you to play through the covers and then nick off. 'In England, they're going to bowl quite straighter lines. 'So, you know, that's the reality. Australia are not going to give you a lot of bad deliveries. 'You have to almost hit good deliveries of boundaries or see out good spells. So, that's the reality that they're up against. 'Australia would have done their homework already. 'If Rickleton plays square of the wicket, guys, we're not going to give him anything. 'We're going to protect the square, but also, we're going to protect the straight (boundaries). We're going to ask him to do different things now.' While the whole world critiqued South Africa's journey to the final at Lord's for not facing Australia and England in the cycle, Petersen believes that the Proteas deserve all the credit. However, the former Test opener warned that the Australian bowling attack will be a lot more difficult to contend with. 'We have to give them credit... they've played off the back foot. They came back and won games. Those are important things. You can take that confidence into the World Test Championship final,' said Petersen. 'However, Australia will be a different kettle of fish. Australia play differently. They might not give you a lot of opportunities like other teams would. 'But that's the reality, that South Africa have won those games. 'Whether you play against minor teams or teams that people think are minor, it's still Test cricket, and they've won those games. 'So, I think they can use that confidence and take it into the World Test Championship final. But it's not going to be easy.'
The South African
9 hours ago
- The South African
'Crying!': Pollards pack up, ready to return home
It's the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for Marise and Handre Pollard as they pack up their life in the UK, where the rugby star has played for Leicester Tigers for the past three years. The Springbok fly-half will return to South Africa, where he will return to his home club of the Bulls, next month. On her Instagram account, Marise Pollard – who is pregnant with her second child – revealed that she had attended her final Leicester Tigers game. 'My heart is heavy. Leicester Tigers is such a special club, and it's been a massive privilege to be part of this family. Grateful is an understatement.' In an Instagram Story, the rugby WAG revealed that she had been 'crying' over the big move' In another post, Marise – a qualified teacher – appeared more upbeat. 'All packed and ready to move!' she captioned a happy snap. It's not goodbye just yet for Leicester Tigers as Handre Pollard is expected to play in their Gallagher Premiership semi-final match against Sale Sharks on Saturday, 7 June. Handre will rejoin his old club of the Bulls on 1 July. In 2022, Handre signed a R14 million-a-year contract with the English club Leicester Tigers. This secured his spot as one of SA's highest-paid rugby players. But will he take a pay cut or earn the same at the Bulls? According to Planet Rugby, the veteran player is likely to earn 'two or three times more' than the average Springbok [around R7million a year]. He is expected to receive the same salary bracket as his club abroad and in the league of big-name Boks like Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, and Siya Kolisi. Handre's earnings will not come from the club but from the Player of National Interest (PONI) contracts that SA Rugby pays. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
