Rabada’s workload a concern

KAGISO Rabada’s shoulders are big enough to carry the burden of being a pace spearhead but he is also looking to strike a balance between bowling flat out and staying the course, the South African speedster said.

Fast bowlers are cricket’s most vulnerable players and South Africans are already fretting over the workload of a 21-year-old who is tipped to lead the Proteas attack for years to come, at least once Dale Steyn heads off into the sunset.

While his pace-bowling Delhi teammate Pat Cummins has spent much of the five years since his sensational test debut wrapped in cotton wool by Cricket Australia, Rabada has been playing pretty consistently since his international bow.

Still, Rabada, who first represented his country in 2014 and turns 22 later this month, reckons his young body has coped reasonably well with the considerable rigours of playing cricket in all three formats.

“I think the older I get, the harder it will get, definitely,” he said.

With the ball, Rabada is always looking for wickets but a parallel search is also on to find ways to ensure he does not burn out.

“Have I found the balance?” he shrugs. “I don’t know. That’s an ongoing process. There are also precautions you take to avoid certain mishaps.”

Rabada announced his arrival on the world stage in 2015 by claiming a record six for 16, including a hat-trick, in his one-day debut against Bangladesh.

His 71 wickets from 17 tests further attest to his potential. – Reuters