The Proteas have gone from hunting the world’s best to being the hunted, according to fast bowler Kagiso Rabada.
Temba Bavuma’s team were elevated to the next level when they beat arch-rivals Australia at Lord’s last year to lift the World Test Championship title. The Proteas’ success continued on the subcontinent when they won a Test in Pakistan for the first time in 18 years before claiming the holy grail by clean-sweeping India 2-0.
But the upcoming home summer will provide a stern test of the World Test champions’ credentials. Australia will arrive in South Africa in September for their first Test tour since the infamous Sandpapergate scandal, followed by Bangladesh, before the plum series against England over the festive season.
“I’m really excited for that,” Rabada told Independent Media during an exclusive Red Bull media junket.
“Everyone wants to beat us even more now, you know, because we’re the defending champions. But, you know, I don’t want to jump out of my seat just yet.
“I actually want to sink into my seat just for a bit. But when I’m building up to that, you know, when I come back from holiday, then I’ll start building up to that. But in the meantime, I’ve got one eye on it, just not both eyes, but I’ve got one eye on it.”
The subplots for both the Australian and English series are compelling. England are in a rebuilding phase but remain committed to their ‘Bazball’ attacking strategy under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, while the Aussies will be hoping to exact revenge for their defeat in the WTC Final.
It is all set up for a couple of thrilling series, especially as Rabada has traditionally kept his best performances for Australia. The 31-year-old was a central figure during the drama-filled 2018 ‘Sandpapergate’ tour, which galvanised him even further.
This trend has continued throughout his career, with Rabada claiming 58 wickets at an incredible average of 21.39 — which is even better than his overall 22.03 — including four five-wicket hauls.
“England are coming as well. And the media are scrutinising them because of the way that they play. So they want to prove a point,” Rabada said.
“Australia are going to want to prove a point for what happened in the final. And also what happened the last time they were here. And they’re always going to be competitive against us. The whole world is going to be watching that one.”
The Aussies have a two-Test series at home against Bangladesh before arriving in South Africa in September.
