Proteas keeping close tabs on Rabada’s fitness
ALL eyes will be on Kagiso Rabada when the Proteas take the field for the third ODI against New Zealand in Wellington.
It will be Rabada’s first appearance since penning his R9.8 million IPL deal with the Delhi Daredevils.
The 21-year-old fast bowler missed the second match of the series against the Black Caps in Christchurch mid-week with a “sore knee” but middle-order batsman JP Duminy said yesterday: “it will be good to see him back”.
South Africa’s attack certainly lacked a cutting edge without Rabada’s special talents at the Hagley Oval, which ultimately resulted in the visitors surrendering a 12-match unbeaten streak. Although Wayne Parnell was impressive with the new ball, and Dwaine Pretorius during the middle-overs, there was certainly a lack of execution at the backend of the innings.
“He has been stalwart for us for a while now,” Duminy said. “He has been our main strike bowler in most formats and it’s always a great strength for us to have him in our attack.”
However, for all the skills that Rabada brings to the bowling unit, the Proteas’ management have to be mindful of managing the young fast bowlers’ workload.
Rabada’s Delhi coach Paddy Upton provided some sort of comfort this week when he will be wary of over-exerting Rabada during the seven-week IPL season, but the big question remains whether the youngster will get through a packed international schedule without incurring a major injury.
The Proteas have a threematch Test series following these one-dayers and Rabada will undoubtedly lead the attack in the longer format. He then flies off to India for the IPL before joining the Proteas for the ICC Champions Trophy and full tour of England that stretches into August.
Although scans on Rabada’s “sore knee” were clear this week, the workload of delivering the most overs by a South African bowler last year – a mammoth 431 overs – seems to be taking its toll as he did not bowl in the nets in the lead-up to the third ODI.
South Africa can ill afford for Rabada to break down with a long-term injury. Their fast bowling stocks have already been severely depleted over the course of this international summer.
Dale Steyn is set to be out of action for a considerable time after freakishly injuring his shoulder against Australia in November. Steyn is only scheduled to return to the game in July.
Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel are also making their way back via the Momentum One-Day Cup. Philander’s ankle ailment was only a minor niggle, but Morkel’s back struggles were far more serious.
However, he is working his way back to fitness and should hopefully be ready for the Champions Trophy in May.
It is not only the experienced fast bowlers though who have been laid low, with promising Titans fast bowler Lungi Ngidi also on the comeback trail. The 20-year-old, who showed great promise during the T20 International series against Sri Lanka, was scheduled to make his ODI bow at home before injuring a rib in the final match of the series.
He is set to play this weekend for the Titans, with his progress set to be monitored by the national selectors.
All these injuries have come after Kyle Abbott, who was set for an extended run across all formats for the Proteas, opting for a Kolpak deal with Hampshire that makes him ineligible for selection.
For all these reasons, and the well-being of Rabada of course, the South African team management will be keeping everything crossed that can possibly be, in the hope that their talisman stays clear of any injuries for the foreseeable future.