AB on KG’s bump: Sjoe! I’m glad I’m not a bowler, I would’ve been worse
PORT ELIZABETH: South African batsman AB de Villiers admits Kagiso Rabada “needs to be smarter”, but does sympathise with the Proteas bowler.
Rabada has been one of the standout bowlers in the fiercely-contested Test series against Australia, having claimed nine wickets already in the second Test at St George’s Park to put SA on the brink of levelling the series today.
But the 22-year-old paceman has tested the patience of the ICC match officials with his passionate celebrations, which has placed Rabada’s continued participation in the series with two matches still to play in jeopardy.
Rabada underwent a hearing last night after being issued a Level 2 charge for bumping into Steve Smith’s shoulder on Friday after dismissing the Australian captain.
A guilty verdict, which would result in three demerit points being issued, would mean the culmination of the series for Rabada in Port Elizabeth.
“I just have a lot of sympathy. I am not a bowler and I can’t imagine being a bowler. Having to toil out there, run in, it is hard on the body, hard on the mind, you get a breakthrough and you just want to celebrate.
“That’s his way and obviously he has crossed the line, and I think he is regretting that. Sjoe! I am just glad that I am not a bowler because I would have been worse than him,” De Villiers admitted.
De Villiers likened Rabada’s excitable celebrations to fellow Proteas speedster Dale Steyn and believed that the senior players in the team need to come to the youngster’s assistance.
Steyn’s crazy eyes, bulging veins and animated chainsaw celebration is synonymous with the legendary fast bowler.
“When Dale is on fire, you don’t even know what is going in that mind. You just see eyes, and all sorts of stuff. Luckily for him, he has never crossed the line.
“But I think it is because we get to him and we will try to get to KG,” De Villiers explained.
“I think it is up to some our senior guys to just help him. I think it is important for some of the players to get around him before he gets close to the batsman, where he just wants to tell the batsman’s he has got him out.
“That’s what it comes down to, probably with just more emotion. That’s ultimately what he wants to tell him.
“I think you have seen me when I take a good catch, or if it is a big wicket, thank goodness I am not close to the batsman because I would do the same thing.”
ICC Match Referee Jeff Crowe conducted the Code of Conduct hearing with Rabada after the third day’s play yesterday. Crowe has 24 hours to arrive at a decision on the Level 2 breach.