No opening spot just yet for Rabada

IT is the world’s top test bowler Kagiso Rabada’s ambition to open the bowling for South Africa, but he will likely have to wait for his chance ahead of the second test against India starting in Pretoria on Saturday.

Rabada’s thrilling display of fast bowling helped South Africa to a 72-run victory in the first test at Newlands, and catapulted the young firebrand to the summit of the International Cricket Council’s test rankings.

He dislodged England’s Jimmy Anderson, a man 13 years his senior, with match figures of 5/75 that tell only half the story of a display brimming with pace, aggression and control.

“Our bowling attack is very skilled, as we have seen in the past and in the last game. It feels great to be playing alongside these veterans,” Rabada said yesterday.

“I just bowl wherever the team wants me to bowl, but obviously I would like to open.

“It is very tough at the moment, though, because there are two very good bowlers doing that. I just like to do whatever the team requires me to do and set my own aspirations aside.”

Since the start of 2016 he has taken 108 test wickets at an average of 21.34 and has a career strikerate of 39.2 that is better than veterans Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel.

Despite his form, Rabada, 22, was the fourth bowler used by South African captain Faf du Plessis in the first innings against India, a bow to his teammates’ seniority.

He has long been thought of as a special talent, particularly in his homeland, where the desire for role models for young black cricketers burns strong. But few thought he would deliver so much, so soon.

Meanwhile, England test captain Joe Root is expected to be fit for Sunday’s one-day series opener against Australia in Melbourne as he continues to recover from the illness that saw him treated in hospital during the fifth Ashes test.

Root, 27, returned to training yesterday after receiving treatment for gastroenteritis, which forced him to retire hurt on the final day in the Sydney defeat that gave Australia a 4-0 test series triumph.

“He’s obviously a lot better than he was on Monday,” England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler said.

“He’s up and about, so I think a few more days and his bug should have gone.

“He’s a huge part of our side, so we’re desperate for him to be fit and well. I’m sure he will rest up and try and get his energy back.”

Ahead of a busy international schedule, including home test matches against India and Pakistan, England coach Trevor Bayliss has urged Root to skip the 2018 Indian Premier League.

But Root remains keen to play in limited-overs competitions to prepare himself for the next year’s 50-over World Cup in England. IT is the world’s top test bowler Kagiso Rabada’s ambition to open the bowling for South Africa, but he will likely have to wait for his chance ahead of the second test against India starting in Pretoria on Saturday.

Rabada’s thrilling display of fast bowling helped South Africa to a 72-run victory in the first test at Newlands, and catapulted the young firebrand to the summit of the International Cricket Council’s test rankings.

He dislodged England’s Jimmy Anderson, a man 13 years his senior, with match figures of 5/75 that tell only half the story of a display brimming with pace, aggression and control.

“Our bowling attack is very skilled, as we have seen in the past and in the last game. It feels great to be playing alongside these veterans,” Rabada said yesterday.

“I just bowl wherever the team wants me to bowl, but obviously I would like to open.

“It is very tough at the moment, though, because there are two very good bowlers doing that. I just like to do whatever the team requires me to do and set my own aspirations aside.”

Since the start of 2016 he has taken 108 test wickets at an average of 21.34 and has a career strikerate of 39.2 that is better than veterans Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel.

Despite his form, Rabada, 22, was the fourth bowler used by South African captain Faf du Plessis in the first innings against India, a bow to his teammates’ seniority.

He has long been thought of as a special talent, particularly in his homeland, where the desire for role models for young black cricketers burns strong. But few thought he would deliver so much, so soon.

Meanwhile, England test captain Joe Root is expected to be fit for Sunday’s one-day series opener against Australia in Melbourne as he continues to recover from the illness that saw him treated in hospital during the fifth Ashes test.

Root, 27, returned to training yesterday after receiving treatment for gastroenteritis, which forced him to retire hurt on the final day in the Sydney defeat that gave Australia a 4-0 test series triumph.

“He’s obviously a lot better than he was on Monday,” England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler said.

“He’s up and about, so I think a few more days and his bug should have gone.

“He’s a huge part of our side, so we’re desperate for him to be fit and well. I’m sure he will rest up and try and get his energy back.”

Ahead of a busy international schedule, including home test matches against India and Pakistan, England coach Trevor Bayliss has urged Root to skip the 2018 Indian Premier League.

But Root remains keen to play in limited-overs competitions to prepare himself for the next year’s 50-over World Cup in England.