Latest news with #Bedingham
United News of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Rabada receives high praise ahead of WTC Final
London, June 9 (UNI) Kagiso Rabada's teammates believe there is no better fast bowler to have in their ranks ahead of one of the cricketing nation's most important ever Test matches. The spearhead is second in the ICC Men's Test Bowling Rankings, behind only Jasprit Bumrah, but a number of Rabada's teammates are adamant he is the perfect asset in their World Test Championship Final aspirations – not to mention quite relieved he's on their team and they don't have to face him. 'KG's the best bowler in the world,' wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne confidently declared, speaking exclusively to the ICC before the World Test Championship decider, which starts at Lord's on Wednesday." 'Without a doubt, he's the best bowler in the world and I think he's one of those guys that always wants to do it on the big stage and you don't get any stages bigger than this, so I think he's going to be massive for us,' Verreynne said. Those sentiments were echoed by fellow team mate David Bedingham, who looks forward to seeing what Rabada can deliver on the unique Lord's wicket, which always offers opportunities for accurate bowlers. 'I genuinely think he's the best bowler in the world,' said Bedingham. 'He's played here (Lord's), he's taken wickets here before, so him going well will go a long way to us winning the whole thing. He's an amazing person… and he makes our jobs a lot easier. He's the leader of our attack,' Bedingham said. As South Africa look to end their ICC silverware drought, their players are hyper aware it'll be crucial that their stars relish and handle the high pressure environment that comes on stages of this magnitude. 'Rabada gets up for the really big moments,' opener Aiden Markram said. 'He wants to lead from the front and he takes a lot of guys with him on that journey. So, obviously a big player for us, but he's (also) been complemented really well in the bowling department by everyone else and they've, sort of, found a way to work really well together," Markram said. 'No doubt he's the leader of the attack, but he pulls guys with him and guys tend to follow,' he said. Also speaking exclusively to ICC Digital, batter Tristan Stubbs added that Rabada will be in peak damage-inflicting form when he's handed the rock at Lord's. 'He's an amazing bowler and he's fresh and ready to go,' Stubbs said. 'I'm happy he's on my team,' Stubbs added. Rabada earned a spot on the Lord's honour board the last time the Proteas played a Test at the hallowed venue, as South Africa beat England by an innings and 12 runs in August, 2022. The fast bowler compiled a first innings return of 5/52 off 19 overs – and seven scalps for the match. 'I remember the wicket was quite busy,' Markram continued. 'We were in the slip cordon and we were on edge the whole time, because it felt like every ball you could get a catch. But, (Rabada) bowled really well," he said. 'He used the (Lord's) slope and various angles really well, broke partnerships when there was a partnership to break and did what he does… so special to have been on the field,' Markram said. As wicket-keeper, Verreynne is uniquely poised to witness what makes Rabada the star he is – or in his words, a 'different beast'. The 28-year-old was behind the stumps when hios team-mate took that special five-for at Lord's a few years ago, 'Any game that he plays in, any team that he plays for, KG with the Proteas badge, and I think especially in white kit, is a different beast," Verreynne said. 'I know how much Test cricket means to him and I know how much he loves this current team and this space, so putting all of those things into his performance, I think he'll be a massive threat," Verreynne addded. UNI BM
The Star
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
David Bedingham: The Proteas' secret weapon for WTC final glory against Australia?
Having just recovered from injury in time to be selected for the Proteas squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final next month, David Bedingham will be hoping to pile on the runs in the County Championship this week. Playing for Durham, the 31-year-old has not played since April 11 as he was out with a broken toe. Before that, Bedingham had scores of 58, 45, 68, 43*, 28 and 68 in his previous First Class outings. Having recovered now, Bedingham will be in action from Friday when Durham host Somerset at Chester-le-Street. "I don't want to look too far ahead, but I do think I'm going to go into the game well-prepped and try my best to score runs, but obviously in cricket you can't guarantee that. Whether I score noughts or score hundreds, I'll try my best,' Bedingham told As for the WTC final against Australia at Lord's in London, starting on June 11, the middle-order batsman did not give much away on which side would be favourites. "Going into that WTC final, it doesn't matter how many runs you've scored leading up to it, I think it's just like a once-off game and whoever plays better for those five days will win. 'I'll go into the WTC game thinking exactly the same. Wanting to score runs, training hard, and just seeing where I can come out.' Having played a number of seasons of first-class cricket in England, it means Bedingham has the most experience of the Proteas players in English conditions and that could count massively in their favour. "I think that personally, that doesn't put any more pressure on me. I think it doesn't matter where you play or what Test match you play, there will always be pressure. 'But personally, I'm not going to put myself under more pressure because I've played here more. Every Test match you play, there's pressure. Hopefully, we can all embrace it and do our country proud. "I just think you need to identify that maybe in South Africa, there's a bit more bounce. But as soon as you start training and as soon as you start speaking about conditions, I think all players adapt well. The guys that are picked in the final will have 12 days leading up to the Test of good training. So, I think everyone will be well prepared going into that match." @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
David Bedingham: The Proteas' secret weapon for WTC final glory against Australia?
KEY EXPERIENCE David Bedingham aims to boost the Proteas' chances in the WTC final against Australia with his experience in English conditions after recovering from injury. Picture: Alche Greef/BackpagePix Having recovered now, Bedingham will be in action from Friday when Durham host Somerset at Chester-le-Street. Before that, Bedingham had scores of 58, 45, 68, 43*, 28 and 68 in his previous First Class outings. Playing for Durham, the 31-year-old has not played since April 11 as he was out with a broken toe. Having just recovered from injury in time to be selected for the Proteas squad for the World Test Championship ( WTC ) final next month, David Bedingham will be hoping to pile on the runs in the County Championship this week. Bedingham Focused on Preparation Ahead of WTC Final "I don't want to look too far ahead, but I do think I'm going to go into the game well-prepped and try my best to score runs, but obviously in cricket you can't guarantee that. Whether I score noughts or score hundreds, I'll try my best,' Bedingham told As for the WTC final against Australia at Lord's in London, starting on June 11, the middle-order batsman did not give much away on which side would be favourites. "Going into that WTC final, it doesn't matter how many runs you've scored leading up to it, I think it's just like a once-off game and whoever plays better for those five days will win. 'I'll go into the WTC game thinking exactly the same. Wanting to score runs, training hard, and just seeing where I can come out.' Having played a number of seasons of first-class cricket in England, it means Bedingham has the most experience of the Proteas players in English conditions and that could count massively in their favour. "I think that personally, that doesn't put any more pressure on me. I think it doesn't matter where you play or what Test match you play, there will always be pressure. 'But personally, I'm not going to put myself under more pressure because I've played here more. Every Test match you play, there's pressure. Hopefully, we can all embrace it and do our country proud. "I just think you need to identify that maybe in South Africa, there's a bit more bounce. But as soon as you start training and as soon as you start speaking about conditions, I think all players adapt well. The guys that are picked in the final will have 12 days leading up to the Test of good training. So, I think everyone will be well prepared going into that match." @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
