Rabada has strong Test claim
With the first Test against India starting in Mohali next Thursday, young South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada may be close to a debut in the longest format of the game.
The 20-year-old produced outstanding results in the One Day International series which South Africa won 3-2 with a clinical victory over hosts India in the final ODI in Mumbai on Sunday. In that match, Rabada returned figures of 4/41 as South Africa romped to a 214-run triumph.
That haul took Rabada’s tally to 10 wickets for the series for an average of 24.10. His bowling returns during the five matches were almost identical to Proteas spearhead Dale Steyn who also bowled 47 overs, taking 10 wickets at an average of 26.70.
The Lions’ quick has made a stellar start to his ODI career in 10 matches, which has already yielded 21 wickets at an average of 20.23, with best figures of 6/16 he achieved against Bangladesh on debut in Dhaka in July.
The 192cm tall Rabada was one of the few players to be included in all three Proteas squads for South Africa’s 72-day tour of India. The bowler, however, is the only uncapped player in the Test squad meaning his turn could be around the corner.
But, with South Africa’s immensely successful fast-bowling trio of Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander expected to retain their spots it leaves little place for a fourth seamer on Indian pitches in the four-Test series. The one spinner’s spot could go to any one of Simon Harmer, Imran Tahir or Dane Piedt with allrounder JP Duminy filling in as the second spinner.
If Radaba is to be included, it would require the selectors to drop one of their pace trio for the opening Test. As the leader of the attack, Steyn is a certainty barring injury. And the pace and possible reverse swing of Steyn means that Morkel with his height and bounce would as usual complement his partner well.
Philander, meanwhile, with his accuracy, offers a containing role different to what Rabada could provide with his tearaway pace sending down deliveries in the region of the 150km/h mark. In 2015, however, Philander has struggled in his three Test matches with two wickets for an average of 82.5 – a far cry from his overall Test average of 22.13.
Counting against Rabada is his lack of first-class cricket under his belt. For the Lions, Rabada has played just 14 matches, although already achieving an average of 22.33.
The selectors will also be mindful of the four-Test series against the touring England side starting on Boxing Day in Durban, where the services of Rabada will be much better suited to pace-friendly conditions.
Ultimately, it will be up to the selectors how they intend to ‘manage’ the longevity of the new sensation of South African fast bowling and when exactly they decide to unleash Rabada in the Test match arena. -- Michael Sherman
ANA