New rules will not hold Proteas back

• Focus is on performance, says Rabada ahead of Bangladesh Test

Bangladesh. Proteas fast bowler Kagiso “KG” Rabada is not too bothered by the new International Cricket Committee rules that come into effect on Thursday.

Speaking at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Tuesday, as the Proteas stepped up their preparations for the first Test against Bangladesh on Thursday‚ Rabada said his focus was on his game and not on things he could not control.

“I’m not sure how other players feel about the changes to the rules, but I’m not too fussed‚” he said. “They are rules, but they don’t stop you from performing. I will take every game as it comes and not focus too much on the rules.”

Thursday’s match in Potchefstroom is only the second Test to be played at the North West cricket venue.

Rabada said that from franchise cricket, the wicket was known as good to bat on and the outfield was extremely quick.

“There is something in the wicket for the bowlers with good bounce and pace in it. So‚ we will have to see how it plays out during the Test match.”

Rabada and Morné Morkel will lead the South African fast bowling attack with the assistance of Duane Olivier. He said the absence of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander would not affect the Proteas negatively.

“Dale has not been around for a while and he has proven over a long time that he is a key player for us. With Vernon Philander, they are world-class bowlers‚ but we do have guys who are up and coming and this will be a test to see whether we can do it without them. I’m pretty confident that we can.”

The South Africans started working with new coach Ottis Gibson this week, and Rabada said he had been insightful and had not changed most of the things they had been doing under Russell Domingo.

“We’ve got together under the new coach and this is a new beginning. But we have the same technical team and only a couple of new faces in the team. We also have the same old coaching staff, so we are settling in and I hope that this game will be of help.

“In international cricket, you can’t take any side lightly. Bangladesh have been playing well and we are taking this game seriously.”