RABADA’S BOX OFFICE REMATCH
PACE prince Kagiso Rabada has revealed how Shane Warne inspired him to a stunning career that has made him the force Australia fears most in Saturday‘s first Test.
Many Test cricketers have an inferior record against Australia compared to other nations but South Africa’s key weapon Rabada has found the challenge has drawn the best from him.
His 38 wickets at just 20 apiece in seven Tests against Australia says everything about the relentlessly high standards that Usman Khawaja claims have made him clearly Australia’s No.1 threat.
As well as watching great South African players as a youngster, Rabada rose early to learn what he could from Australia’s golden generation
“Obviously the South African players inspired me but that Australian team played a major role as well,‘’ Rabada said. “I really enjoyed watching Shane Warne. I thought he was magnificent. Warne was just a work of art. Whenever he used to bowl he did extraordinary things with the ball.
“The way he turned it. His whole demeanour, His character. It wasn’t just what he did with the ball. I looked up to him and still do.
“Australia has that golden era you would just watch them whenever they played. I would wake up early and watch Ashes Tests and you wanted to see how those great players played.‘’
Rabada can be a volatile player and was famously suspended during the Sandpapergate tour for shouldering Steve Smith, only to have the decision controversially overturned.
It was one of four code of conduct violations in two years.
“Emotion catches you. You don’t chase it. You just wait for it,” the bowler said. “Whenever we have played against Australia it has been about a lot more than the cricket. There has always been some extra emotion.’’
The Rabada-Smith rematch at the Gabba should be box office fare.
Physically, Rabada is a remarkable natural talent but he has also put in the homework in the process of compiling a Test record (257 wickets at 22 in 57 Tests) that matches strides with the gods of his trade. He has looked at all the great bowlers on You Tube, from West Indian champions like Andy Roberts to Dennis Lillee.
Rabada’s father is a brain surgeon who grew up in the pre-apartheid era, which meant he had a tougher life than his son, a fact Rabada says makes him grateful.
“In South Africa during apartheid it was very tough for him so he is an inspirational figure for me. Both my parents are. It’s always nice when you can look up to someone,” he said.
“My father has always believed in me and insisted that I believe in myself. He‘s been a great role model for me. I just try and emulate the work he has done from the background he came from.’’