Rabada rips through Aussies
Kagiso Rabada starred as South Africa completed a six-wicket win over Australia at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth to level the fourtest series at 1-1.
Rabada continued his rampage in the second test on Monday, finishing with 11-150 to help roll Australia for 239, ensuring a small chase only for the hosts.
In pursuit of 101, Proteas openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram were dismissed as South Africa slipped to 32-2 shortly after lunch, but AB de Villiers steadied the show with a couple of welltimed boundaries.
Nathan Lyon dismissed de Villiers for 28, reducing South Africa to 81-4, but the visitors didn’t have enough runs to play with and the Proteas got home.
Theunis de Bruyn brought up the winning runs when he stroked a full ball from Pat Cummins through the covers for four.
The series continues on Thursday next week in Cape Town, where Rabada will be an enforced omission for his send-off of Steve Smith on day one, and a screaming send-off of David Warner on day three.
The 22-year-old removed Mitch Marsh, Cummins and Mitchell Starc on day four of the second test, showing why he is one of the best fast bowlers in the world.
Rabada hit the 151kmh mark, produced unplayable reverseswing, claimed key scalps at clutch moments, and consistently challenged the batsmen, claiming his fourth 10-wicket haul in 28 tests.
The only South African with more 10-wicket test hauls is 86-test veteran Dale Steyn, while the only Australians with more 10-wicket test hauls are Clarrie Grimmett (seven), Dennis Lillee (seven) and Shane Warne (10).
But Rabada’s inability to control his emotions marred the manof-the-match performance.
Rabada, who has now been charged five times in the space of 13 months, argued at a hearing he didn’t deliberately brush Smith’s shoulder on day one but match referee Jeff Crowe is expected to throw the book at the express paceman.
Tempers flared again in the first over on day four, when Mitch Marsh played on to Rabada then appeared to swear at the fired-up fast bowler.
Tim Paine showed great composure with the willow but finished 28 not out, running out of partners while attempting to build a more imposing target.
Australia’s hopes of a miraculous turnaround weren’t helped by a simple slips catch that Mitch Marsh put down when the hosts were 7-0.