Rabada return boosts SA attack at Oval
LONDON: The return of Kagiso Rababa means England’s faltering batsmen head into Thursday’s third Test against South Africa at The Oval knowing they will face an even stronger attack than the one that ran through them at Trent Bridge.
Despite the absence of fast bowler Rabada, banned as a result of swearing at England allrounder Ben Stokes in the series opener at Lord’s, South Africa’s attack bowled them out for just 133 in their second innings.
That sealed ac rushing 340- run winin the second Test at the Nottingham ground earlier this month, as they levelled the fourmatch campaign at 1-1.
England will give a Test debut at number three to Essex batsman Tom Westley in their latest bid to take the pressure off captain Joe Root and former skip per Ala stair Cook, a county colleague of the newcomer, at the top of their order.
The weakest link of a South Africa attack led by Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel at Trent Bridge was Duanne Olivier, but he will now give way to Rabada.
At 22, Rabada has already taken 77 wickets in 18 Tests at an average of under 25.
Proteas bowling coach Charl Lange veld ts aid Rab ada would be “raring to go”.
Meanwhile star batsman Hashim Amla added: “KG is a wonderful bowler.
“I’ m sure he doesn’ t want to get banned again ... The way he does it is entirely up to him.”
Westley has been brought in after England number three Gary Ball an ce was ruled out with a finger injury, although the Yorkshire batsman’s lack of runs might well have seen him dropped.
Westley has been in good form for Essex so far this season, scoring 478 First Division runs in the County Championship, including two centuries, at an average of 53.11.
Significantly, he also made 106 not out against a strong South Africa attack for the second-string England Lions at Worcester last month.
Now he hopes to join “unbelievable role model Cook”, in an England fightback in what will be the 100th Test staged at The Oval.
“We’ve had quite a few good partnerships with Essex, so hopefully we can do the same for England,” said Westley.
“I appreciate everything in Test cricket is going to be another step up in intensity, but I can take confidence from having faced the majority of their bowlers a few weeks ago and scored some runs.”
England fans will hope Westley can add steel to a top order that appeared to lack either the ability or the inclination to bat for a draw when all hopes of a win had evaporated at Trent Bridge.