“Rabada is the future for us” – De Villiers
Following Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada’s career best match haul of 13/144 against England in the fourth Test in Centurion, South African captain AB de Villiers praised the efforts of his paceman.
South Africa romped to a 280-run victory before lunch on day five, thanks mainly to the efforts of Rabada who took 7/112 and 6/32 in the respective innings to record the second best match bowling figures by a South African, behind Makhaya Ntini’s 13/132 he achieved against the West Indies in the Port of Spain in 2005.
“He is the future for us, along with a few other guys. Every time I asked him to come out and perform for us, he did. He showed the maturity of a guy that’s played 100 Tests and also the pace of a guy that’s only played one or two,” said De Villiers.
“He’s impressed us all. He’s got to be looked after really well, it’s up to a few of us and some of the management to make sure he’s always fresh when he walks out onto the cricket field. Guys like that coming through is always exciting, and I’m very happy for what he achieved in this Test match and the series.”
Rabada playing in just his sixth Test, ended as the leading wicket-taker in the series in a losing cause as England ran out 2-1 victors in the four-match affair. Rabada claimed 22 wickets in the series from just three matches after not playing the first Test in Durban, making his achievement even more impressive.
The 20-year-old, however, was humble following his match-winning exploits.
“It’s amazing. It’s been a while since we’ve won, we’ve been losing a lot. But we’ve stuck together as a team. Everyone played magnificently well, it was a real team effort. I’m happy that I contributed,” said Rabada.
When asked if he had carried the Proteas attack, Rabada was again quick to shoot down suggestions he was the only bowler on form.
“Morne Morkel, Kyle Abbott and everyone in the team did well. I’m still a youngster, I’m still learning. i didn’t feel like I was carrying anything, the guys were carrying me.”
Rabada said this performance was just the start for him.
“I don’t like statistics, I just like to do the basics right. I like to be consistent, I’d like to do this for 15 years not just one.” - ANA
(File photo: Gallo Images)