Wanderers Test ban hurts: Rabada

Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has confessed that being banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the Wanderers Test match has been hurting but has vowed to stop letting himself and his team down in future.

This is the former SA U19 Cricket World Cup winner’s second ban for the exact same offense. The previous was against Australia during the Sandpaper-gate series.

Rabada says he will use the ban wisely and rest as well.

The ban also means that Rabada, who has taken 197 wickets for the Proteas in just 43 Tests at an average of 22.98, will miss out on the opportunity to reach the magical 200 Test Wickets milestone in his home ground, in front of his home fans.

Rabada says he believes it’s time for him to outgrow his raw talent and take his Test cricket game to another level.

The 24-year-old Rabada, however, left his teammates with some words of encouragement despite his and the teams’ hardships in the titanic series,  with the English leading 2-1 going into the last Test at the Wanderers.

With the appointment of the new coaching staff and their consultants, Rabada also hinted that maybe there could be too much interference in how the team should actually execute their duties out on the field.

He says he believes that as long as the team plans are clear, players should be empowered to find solutions on their own in the heat of the battle.

Rabada is expected to be replaced by left-arm quick Beuran Hendricks in the starting 11 while Temba Bavuma looks set to make a much-anticipated comeback.

Bavuma was dropped and told to go and make runs, will perhaps come in place of Zubyer Hamza. Bavuma has given the selectors no choice following his massive century for the Lions against the Dolphins last week in the four-day Challenge Series.

Rabada is confident that the Proteas will bounce back.

– Report by Thando Gqamane