Kagiso Rabada shines as Proteas face tough challenge in WTC Final
Zaahier Adams at Lord's
LONDON: Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen were at the crease when the Proteas unchoked at Centurion in December last year to qualify for a first-ever ICC World Test Championship final.
Two big fast fast bowlers embraced passionately in the middle of the wicket after Jansen delightfully steered the winning runs past point.
Jansen hauled out the big bear hug on Rabada again at Lord's on a pulsating opening day of the WTC Final on Wednesday. Only this time it was to celebrate Rabada's five-wicket haul and second at The Home of Cricket.
But much has happened in between these two fateful days. Rabada, of course, tested positive for a banned substance and was instructed to appear before his comrades to apologise for his actions.
It would be fair to say that the redemption is complete now. Coach Shukri Conrad stated at the time: 'All I'm interested in now is KG producing performances that we know he's capable of."
Rabada certainly repaid Conrad's trust with a five-star performance that sent Australia cartling for 212.
Bristling in from the Nursery End, coupling aggression with accuracy, it made for utterly compelling viewing. And aided by some fabulous catching behind the wicket Rabada finished with 5/51 - etching his name onto the Lord's Honours Board yet again.
Jansen (3/49) played his supporting role to perfection, and so did the spin of Keshav Maharaj (1/19) and Aiden Markram that maintained the pressure on the Aussies despite a mid-afternoon fightback from Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72).
The only drawback for the Proteas being the indifferent form of surprise selection Lungi Ngidi, who looked every bit the rusty bowler that has only played two Tests in this two-year WTC cycle leading up to the showpiece.
But the large South African contingent in the stands were in full voice with chants of 'Ole, Ole, Ole' ringing through St John's Wood.
Rarely though are Tests won and lost shortly after tea on the first day. The Proteas' litmus test was always going to be with willow in hand and how their inexperienced batting unit would counter the relentless pressure exerted by the most experienced bowling attack in the world.
Mitchell Starc provided the answer before the conclusion of the first over when he forced Aiden Markram to play with an angled bat to a 145km/h length delivery that caught the inside edge and rifled into leg stump.
From thereon it was a sustained, aggressive examination with the Proteas top-order digging themselves deeper and deeper into a hole.
Ryan Rickelton managed a couple of straight and square drives, but after he pushed at an away-swinger from Starc that took the edge to Usman Khawaja in the slip cordon, the Proteas innings came to a screeching halt.
Wiaan Mulder simply never looked comfortable in the critical No 3 role with the allrounder and captain Temba Bavuma adding just eight runs in 72 balls for the third wicket.
Mulder's torturous innings eventually came to a merciful close when Pat Cummins went straight through his attempted defence, which was the same fate that befell Tristan Stubbs when Josh Hazlewood rattled his timber to leave the Proteas in the precarious position of 30/4.
At the other end captain Temba Bavuma looked considerably less fluent requiring 31 balls to get off the mark.
Bavuma will resume with David Bedingham, who struck two boundaries before the close.
Jansen and Rabada had started the day starring with the ball. By time the shadows lengthened over Father Time overlooking the famous old ground, and with the Proteas' top-order crumbling like the tea time cake, the pair may yet be required to do another job with the bat when the second day resumes on Thursday.
World Test Championship Final, Lord's
Stumps, Day 1
Australia: 212 (Webster 72, Smith 66, Rabada 5/51, Jansen 3/39)
South Africa: 43/4 (Rickelton 16, Bedingham 8*, Bavuma 3*, Starc 2/10)
South Africa trail by 169 runs
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
5 minutes ago
- IOL News
Isak saga drags on as Liverpool chase marquee striker signature
Alexander Isak has emerged as Liverpool's top striker target – but Newcastle are determined not to sell without a viable replacement. Photo: AFP Image: AFP Will he? Won't he? Liverpool's attempt to sign star striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle – in a second blockbuster deal of the transfer window for the league champions – has become the trending transfer saga. By all accounts, the lethal Swedish finisher has informed the Tyneside giants that he wants out, after refusing to extend his contract, with Merseyside his preferred destination. He missed out on their recent pre-season tour of South Korea, prompting fears among Newcastle fans that they had seen the last of the lanky striker in the iconic black-and-white kit. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading It is clear his head has been turned by the attentions of the Reds, who have embarked on a massive spending spree expected to top €500m by the close of the window. Yet Liverpool's recent £110m offer for their talisman, plus add-ons, was rejected flat out by the Magpies. Domino effect It is no wonder. The sale of striker Callum Wilson has left the Magpies with little in the way of forward stocks for a team returning to the Champions League. It would be almost criminal to get rid of their top goalscorer from last season – who finished second only to Mo Salah on the Premier League sharpshooters' chart – without bringing in a striker or two of similar ilk. That would explain the importance of Newcastle's move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, though they are not alone in their admiration for the coveted goal poacher. They were also in the running to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, but the Reds pipped them to that signing. Sesko is also said to be the prime striker target for Manchester United, following their recent capture of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Despite the allure of Champions League football – which the Red Devils cannot offer – there is still a strong chance that the striker could choose Rúben Amorim's project over Eddie Howe's. Any Isak move seems to hinge heavily on that deal or a similar purchase that would go some way to replicating the output of one of the most feared finishers in European football. Drastic measures Isak, for his part, could have tried to force through a move by refusing to train with his teammates or play for the club again – à la Yoane Wissa. Incidentally, the Brentford forward is trying to push through a move to Newcastle, and his petulant behaviour seems to be bearing fruit. The Bees are said to have softened their stance, having insisted the forward was not for sale when rejecting a Newcastle offer. The stain from such an action does stick to a player, though. Isak has appeared to avoid that unwanted stench by agreeing to return to Newcastle from Spain – where he was training at former club Real Sociedad's headquarters on his own – to train with his teammates. With his heart still set on joining Arne Slot's team, it is surely only a matter of time before he runs out in the red of the Anfield giants. A case for the defence Kopites may be crowing about the business they have done so far in the transfer window – marked by quality additions and astute sales that have helped balance the books. The lack of central defensive cover for ageing skipper Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté is a worry, however. The injury-prone Joe Gomez surely cannot be the only decent back-up option for their tilt at a title defence. With plenty of time left in the window, the potential capture of Isak is unlikely to be the last piece of business as Slot puts the finishing touches to what is already shaping up to be a fearsome team.
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- The Citizen
OPINION: Pieter Coetze breaks through as SA's newest global swimming star
Last week, Coetze became the first South African in 20 years to earn three medals at a single edition of the World Aquatics Championships. After emerging as a real prospect a few years ago, Pieter Coetze experienced a couple of relatively stagnant seasons and it seemed unclear whether he would go on to achieve his apparently immense potential. However, following his performances at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore last week, the 21-year-old swimmer has proved he remains on track to become one of SA's all-time greats in the pool. In 2022, at the age of 18, Coetze claimed three medals at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and bagged five medals at the World Junior Championships in Lima, which earned the teenager the Sportsman of the Year accolade at the SA Sports Awards. And while he went on to secure bronze in the 200m backstroke at the World Championships in Doha last year, he missed out on a spot on the podium at the Olympic Games in Paris, achieving a best result of fifth place in the 100m backstroke final. But any concerns about his ability to beat the world's best were put to bed last week when Coetze delivered in spectacular fashion at the global championships. Pieter Coetze (centre) after winning gold in the 100m backstroke at the World Championships in Singapore. Picture: François-Xavier Marit/AFP Historic medal haul He earned gold in the 100m backstroke, as well as silver in the 50m and 200m backstroke events, becoming the first South African to earn three medals at an edition of the World Championships since Roland Schoeman achieved the feat in Montreal in 2005. In addition, Coetze broke new ground by shattering the African records over all three backstroke distances. In the 100m final he was particularly impressive. Aside from securing the world title, he touched the wall in 51.85, clocking the third fastest time in history over two lengths. He was just 0.25 outside the world record of 51.60 held by Thomas Ceccon of Hungary, who settled for second place in the final in Singapore in 51.90. With Tatjana Smith having retired and Chad le Clos having struggled to find his best form in the latter stages of his career, South Africa will need other swimmers to deliver in the hunt for medals at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. And Coetze looks set to lead the charge.
eNCA
13 hours ago
- eNCA
Lions hooker Sheehan banned over Lynagh incident
British and Irish Lions hooker Dan Sheehan has been suspended for four matches for flattening Wallabies playmaker Tom Lynagh in Saturday's third and final Test, World Rugby announced on Monday. The 26-year-old Irishman -- who captained the side for part of the 22-12 defeat after Maro Itoje suffered a head injury -- had argued his action did not merit a citing nor was it foul play. However, an independent panel disagreed, imposing the ban, although he will miss only three games if he successfully completes a coaching intervention. "The sanction has been accepted by the player," read the judgement. "In determining foul play, the Committee found that Sheehan's actions were reckless. "The Committee found that he made head contact with the Australian player, that his action amounted to a high degree of danger and that no mitigation applied." Sheehan charged into the breakdown during the first half of the clash in Sydney, appearing to elbow Lynagh in the head. It was missed by the referee and television match official (TMO), despite Lynagh leaving the field for a head injury assessment which he failed. Sheehan will miss his province Leinster's pre-season match against Cardiff and two United Rugby Championship games with South African sides the Sharks and Stormers.
