On this day in 2016 – Kagiso Rabada’s sensational spell blows away England
It is January 2016 and South Africa have just lost a Test series against England in their home conditions. The series loss was disappointing not only because the Proteas looked like the unit more suited to the conditions because it had come after a 3-0 Test series loss in India. Hashim Amla stepped down as the Test skipper after the third Test. AB de Villiers, who was already leading the ODI team had been given the responsibility of the side.
Even after the change in captaincy, South Africa’s problems were fully on display at the Supersports Park in Centurion. Kagiso Rabada was not even a year old in the international arena until that moment, but he had made everyone notice him. He had pace which was lightning and his deliveries would often wobble around with swing. But, the wickets columns had not seen a lot of numbers by then. But, it was in this Test match, where the world saw how dangerous and ruthless the young Rabada can be.
South Africa had scored 475 runs in the first innings on a pitch which was mostly good for batting. When England batted, it was entirely Rabada’s show with the ball. He bowled with pace and hostility to keep England batsmen on their toes, quite literally. He kept running in and bowling with pace. A small partnership would build and ABD would throw the ball to Rabada. And the fast-bowler would respond each time.
He claimed 7/112 in the first innings. He bowled relentlessly for 29 overs. His effort saw England being bowled out for 342 runs in the first innings, giving South Africa a huge lead. The Proteas made sure that England were chasing a huge target of 382 in the fourth innings. However, Rabada’s best show was still to come. In the final innings of the series, the pacer was on full song. He had not been more accurate. All his plans were falling in place and South African had finally found someone with the fire to run through opposition’s batting order, in the absence of Dale Steyn.
He took six wickets again in the second innings. His figures of 6 for 32 had broken the backs of the England team. Rabada got all those wickets in just 11 overs as England were bowled out for 101, losing the match by 280 runs. England took the series but on this day in 2016, a fast-bowler of great ability was witnessed. This was Rabada’s coming-of-age in Test cricket. He is now the leader of the South African pace attack and one of the most exciting fast bowlers.
