Rabada makes most of suspension
PROTEAS fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has admitted the past week has been “a bit of a whirlwind”, but he is taking it all in his stride.
The young bowler is currently suspended for the next two Test matches against Australia for brushing the shoulder of the visiting captain Steve Smith during the second Test at St George’s Park.
Cricket South Africa are appealing the decision, but the 22-year-old is just trying to put it all behind him.
“It is nice to have some quiet time, chill with family and friends, and get up to things that I normally would.
“It has been a bit of a whirlwind, there has been a lot of talk, a lot of hype.
“But that’s what happens occasionally, it comes with the game at certain times.
“It was a big learning curve,” Rabada told Independent Media.
South Africans have certainly been supportive of the world’s No 1 bowler, especially on social media, and this has not gone unnoticed.
Rabada has taken 15 wickets at an average of 16.80 in the two Tests against Australia this month, with his raw pace and accuracy testing the quality of the visiting batsmen. “It has been great to feel the support; people have a keen interest. However, nothing changes. Things still remain the same
“It’s debatable (whether he was harshly treated). Some people think so, some people don’t. I think I take responsibility for what happened.
“On the video it looks like I got into the guy’s (Smith) space, so I shouldn’t have done that.
“I’ll say 50/50… it’s my fault… I didn’t feel anything in the moment.”
It is not only the general public that have pledged their allegiance to Rabada.
England fast bowler and former world No 1 James Anderson has been sympathetic, while Rabada’s teammate Vernon Philander originally tweeted that Smith was also at fault.
Philander, however, later posted a message claiming his social media account was hacked.
I JUST love Kagiso Rabada’s passion and aggression for his country. Go Rabada.
No white bowlers in the Proteas took any wickets at all in the recent Test match in Port Elizabeth in which South Africa beat Australia. Is this a first?
The wicket-takers – Philander, Ngidi, Maharaj and Rabada – bowled 147 overs, while a mere four overs were bowled by “so-called” white players in the squad.
And nobody noticed! That’s the most interesting aspect.
Thank heavens for affirmative action.
While the whingers and handwringers voted for the DA or relocated to Perth, our cricketers became a truly representative squad.
And some of these fine cricketers will have a role to play in the broader South African society.
For example: I vote for Kagiso Rabada, who now has some time on his hands, to be appointed as interim National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), in place of the sheepish Shaun Abrahams.
Bliksem! That will give the corrupt and lying politicians something to think about.
Give all our cricketers and all our prosecutors a few helpings of whatever it is that Rabada is having for breakfast.
The only thing better than seeing an Aussie sledger with his tail between his pads, will be seeing the Guptas arriving at Waterkloof airport to a glittering reception of police vans and handcuffs.
It’s time for being passionately South African.
Howzat! Gilad Stern Highlands Estate