There is little dispute that Kagiso Rabada is one of the best—if not the absolute best—fast bowlers South Africa has ever produced. That is why news of his hamstring injury is deeply concerning with Australia‘s upcoming tour of South Africa rapidly approaching.
At present, Rabada has only been officially ruled out of the One-Day International (ODI) series, but he faces a race against time to be fit for the Tests. The ODI series begins on September 24, while the first Test is scheduled to start on October 9 in Durban.
Rabada suffered the injury on August 21, and Cricket South Africa (CSA) estimates a recovery period of at least four to five weeks.
Since making his international debut for the Proteas in 2015 as a 20-year-old, Rabada quickly established himself as the spearhead of the attack. It was a glorious sight to watch Dale Steyn in the twilight of his career bowling alongside the rising star. But since Steyn’s retirement in 2019, Rabada has unassailably been the leader of South Africa’s pace battery.
Rabada vs Steyn: A Statistical Comparison of South Africa’s Premier Bowlers
The numbers speak for themselves. Rabada boasts the best strike rate in Test history among all bowlers with more than 300 wickets. His remarkable strike rate of 39.5 is superior even to Steyn’s 42.3. Rabada’s bowling average is equally impressive, standing at 22.03 compared to Steyn’s 22.95.
The only major milestone separating them is total wickets, with Steyn topping South Africa’s all-time Test list at 439 wickets in 93 matches, compared to Rabada’s 340 wickets in 73 Tests. Given South Africa’s light Test schedule, Rabada may face an uphill battle to surpass Steyn’s tally, but his impact remains undisputed.
Losing their premier quick would be a devastating blow for South Africa. Even if he is cleared to play, stepping straight into such a high-stakes series after a layoff will be a massive challenge. Yet, if anyone is capable of rising to the occasion, it is Rabada.
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport
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