Top of the world for Rabada
PROTEAS fast bowler Kagiso “KG” Rabada has climbed to the summit of the ICC Test bowler player rankings after he helped South Africa to a 72-run victory over India at Newlands in Cape Town on Monday.
Rabada returned with five wickets in his two innings for 75 runs after 28.4 overs in the Proteas’ win over India.
South Africa started the match with a frightening fourpronged pace attack that included Dale Steyn‚ Morné Morkel and Vernon Philander.
He collected five points for his impressive performances against India to overtake England veteran James Anderson.
Anderson was perched at the summit going into the recent Ashes series, which was won 4-0 by the Australians to regain the Ashes.
“It’s special to be ranked as the number one Test bowler in the world. It is a surreal feeling‚” Rabada said.
“Cricket is ultimately a team sport and I am thankful for the support from my teammates.
“It’s a great start to the year personally team.”
Rabada‚ who won the U19 World Cup in the UAE in 2014‚ is the seventh South African bowler to top the bowling rankings after Aubrey Faulkner‚ Hugh Tayfield‚ Peter Pollock‚ Shaun Pollock‚ Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander.
Philander‚ who was named the player of the match in Cape Town‚ has forced his way into the top 20 bracket to 12th place as a result of his match-wining figures of 9/75, as South Africa took a 1-0 lead in the threeTest series. — TimesLIVE and for us as a