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Ok, so maybe my headline is a little over dramatic. The only element of rage that one can expect from the lanky Highveld Lions youngster is a fiery short-ball zipping past a batsman’s ear (Ask Chris Gayle). Rabada is a cool, calm collected youngster who takes in all the experiences his premature cricket career is delighting him with. He is also a star in the making.
His eminent stardom seems to have finally shone bright enough to persuade the selectors to include him in the Protea’s setup in all formats for the upcoming Protea tour of Bangladesh. While it would have been a far cry for “Rabada yay-sayers” to expect that he be included in the Protea World Cup squad, media and some pub chat were calling for him to be included in the setup after a dismally misfiring Dale Steyn failed to propel a lacklustre bowling department down under, for many level-heads, it was “not the right time.” Rabada quietly went about his business, putting in clinical bowling performances that helped his franchise get closer and closer to the top of the domestic 4-day log including a national bowling record of 14/105 against the Dolphins at the Bidvest Wanderers cricket ground, a record previously held by Dale Steyn.
Rabada, who is no stranger to the Protea setup after having featured in 3 International T20 games, will want to transfer his sunfoil series successes into the international arena. Under the guidance of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, who are now regarded seniors in the team, he will look to begin his journey as the Proteas go-to-guy; apposition Dale Steyn made his own in recent years.
With Dale Steyn already opting out of the ODI series in Bangladesh, one can’t help but think the selectors will try a combination of Morkel/Abbot/Rabada as their fast trio (Bangladesh is not renowned for fast bowler friendly pitches) leaving Vernon Philander and Steyn to spearhead the Test team attack. As we have seen in recent years, Rabada will probably only be called into the test arena should there be an injury, this tour should be more about adaptation to the protea test culture.
Dale Steyn, much like Glenn McGrath, has chosen to prolong his test career at an advanced stage of his life. He has said that he wants to play a few more years of test cricket and because of that decision he has had to turn his focus to the five-day game and let players like Rabada establish themselves into the proteas. A young speedster like Rabada could provide the impetus that South Africa’s bowling department lacked in the semi-final against New Zealand, the game ultimately lost them the 2015 World Cup. One thing is for sure, 2015 Rabada struck Gold… Green and Gold.
