HE’S BACK!
Rabada ready for Aussies
SOUTH Africa coach Ottis Gibson believes the world’s best Test bowler Kagiso Rabada has learnt from his brush with suspension and expects more mature on-field behaviour in the third Test against Australia starting in Cape Town tomorrow.
Rabada successfully appealed against an International Cricket Council (ICC) sanction for brushing the shoulder of Australia captain Steve Smith while celebrating his dismissal in the second Test, getting his punishment reduced from three demerit points to one.
That means he remains under the suspension threshold of eight in the last 24 months, freeing him to play in the remaining two matches of the acrimonious series.
“He has been made very aware of his on-field celebrations,” Gibson told reporters yesterday.
“He’s not a bad kid, he is a bit overexuberant at times. But there was not aggressive intent there apart from celebrating a wicket. He’s a smart kid and I am sure he has learnt his lesson. I don’t expect he will make the same mistake.”
Gibson acknowledged that having Rabada available is a massive boost to South Africa’s chances of winning the series.
“The number one bowler in the world being allowed to play cricket is exciting for everybody concerned. We are very happy he is allowed to play, we all believe it is the right decision at the end of the day.
“We have made him aware of responsibilities for the team, he is a very important player.”
Gibson added that Rabada is raring to go in the third Test as he seeks to add to his 15 wickets in the series that have come at a cost of just 16.80 runs each, the best return from a bowler on either side.
“He’s a strong character. He came after six hours (in the appeal hearing) yesterday and all he wanted to do was practice,” said Gibson.
“Him being available lifts everybody, he is the best bowler in the world.”
Gibson revealed that all 17 members of an expanded squad are available for selection and fast bowler Morne Morkel, who was dropped for the six-wicket second Test win in Port Elizabeth, remains in contention as he sits three wickets shy of 300 in what is his last Test series before retirement.
“We are still putting together the final XI at this stage, we don’t know where we will try to make a change. That will become a lot clearer this afternoon after practise. We are trying to win a series, we will select a team to do that,” he said.
With the four-game series poised at 1-1, Rabada’s availability after he overturned a suspension is a huge boost for the hosts on what is expected to be a lively Newlands wicket similar to the surface used for the Test against India in January which lasted only nine sessions.
That pitch was praised by both sides for setting up a good sporting contest as South Africa claimed a 72run win, though it heavily favoured the seam bowlers.
“The groundsman says the wicket will be the same as for the last one, so we expect both teams to go hard at each other on the field,” Gibson told reporters yesterday.
“The way the series has been played, there has been a lot of really good cricket.”
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh (groin) and fast bowler Mitchell Starc (calf) have shrugged off injury concerns to be available as Australia also ponder changes having followed a comprehensive 118-run victory in the first Test with a sixwicket defeat in the second.