Rabada relishing home ground advantage
Having claimed three wickets on the first day of his first Test on home soil, Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada hinted that he expected more from England’s fans who are well known for their boisterous support.
England started the first day of the second Test on a positive note as they piled-on 317/5 on a surface that was always going to favour the team batting first.
For Rabada, who struggled in India where the pitches were prepared for their spin bowlers, playing in front of his home fans was a dream come true.
“The Barmy Army haven’t been singing that much,” he said when asked if the legion of foreign fans had any influence on him during the day.
“I haven’t really felt their presence too much, but I know they are there.
“The South African supporters were magnificent today, I didn’t feel like I was away, I felt at home and even when they (the Barmy Army) sing I still fell like I’m at home, we are in our backyard.”
Rabada returned figures of 3/74 on a day that was, in large, dominated by the visiting side’s batsmen.
He was first to strike when he removed Alastair Cook for 27 in the first session of the day – Chris Morris taking a splendid catch – and would later send Nick Compton (45) and James Taylor (0) back to the England changeroom.
The 20-year-old admitted he wasn’t hitting the mark at the start of play, but was pleased with the progression he made during the day.
“This was a good cricketing wicket so it was very tough and I didn’t feel great rhythm,” he said.
“The margin for error is small on a wicket like this, and you are bowling to good players as well and on top of that I haven’t been match-bowling fit, so it was a bit of a fight out there but it went okay.”
As for Cook’s dismissal, he pointed out that he and Morris had been bowling in tandem for the Lions at franchise level and he never doubted his teammate’s ability behind the stumps.
“I know Chris is a great slip fielder, but that was a magnificent catch and I needed that after the start that I had.”
England were in a spot of bother before and after the tea break, but took charge of the match in the final session during which they scored 150 runs.
Like most South African cricket fans, Rabada did not understand why the second new ball wasn’t given to ace bowler Mornè Morkel straight away.
“We always knew that we had to pick up wickets quickly and when the second new ball came we thought it was our chance. I don’t know why Morras (Morkel) didn’t use the new ball. I don’t know Hash’s [Hashim Amla] thoughts at that time.
The young pace bowler credited Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow for the flourish towards the end of play, but added they have formulated a plan to get England out as economically as possible on Sunday.
“Tomorrow we are going to have to be tight and hopefully knock them over quickly,” he said.
As for the absence of injured stalwart Dale Steyn, Radaba insisted that he was more concerned about what he would be able to do.
“I don’t feel any pressure at all, this is an opportunity to play and I’m going to make the most of it. We have come here to play and we are going to play hard.”
ANA
(File photo)