The tidy put his consistency at a level that called for diligence and perseverance
The South African bowmen did not fare as well as they could have asked for on the third morning in Karachi than the Pakistani tail rallied 70 runs in 12.2 overs, but one of them reached a stone- special, personal milestone. Kagiso Rabada became the third fastest player and fourth youngest to take 200 Test wickets.
Only Waqar Younis (7725) and Dale Steyn (7848) required less delivery than Rabada (8154) to reach the landmark, while only Waqar, Kapil Dev, and Harbhajan Singh were under 25 years old. and 248 days at Rabada. Of them all, Rabada has the best strike rate at 40.8.
“It’s awesome to be included among a list of those names. When you start playing you never think you’ll be on such a list and that the you have those numbers, “Rabada said.
He brought consistency to a level that demanded diligence and perseverance. “I don’t think there’s a magical answer. It’s just hard work and spending time on your craft and seeing where you can get better and analyzing it. It wasn’t all easy.
“You will find yourself trying to do something that may seem so simple but it is always repetitive and hours and hours of work. It is relentless with that and its ‘Seeing how best you can get and find ways. It’s hard work non-stop. “
While Rabada has played with Steyn, he has yet to share trade secrets with Waqar, who is part of an opposition camp, as a bowling coach.
When asked if he was seeking suggestions from Waqar, Rabada pointed out that there may be time to pick up his brain after the series. “We were working at the same ground but I think it would be a bit of a hassle if he was coaching me and not a Pakistani team,” Rabada said. “He was a wonderful bowler and someone I’ve seen a lot in my spare time, when I’m trying to learn about the game, and I’d like to talk to him once this is over.”
“It’s hard work, like any test game, especially in the subcontinent where you have to be a lot more patient. It tests you mentally, it tests you physically. I remembered on how test cricket can affect you. “
Kagiso Rabada
That may be too late to seek advice on how you can generate a turnaround in Pakistan but Rabada and Waqar may want to reflect on the difference in conditions in Pakistan over the scope of the Pakistan. some positions. Rabada’s national coach Mark Boucher recalls Pakistan’s smoothness and conditions to be ripe for a swing in Waqar’s time, while Rabada experiences being friendly to spinners with a variable kick and “there aren’t many demons but enough to worry about bats”. He expects, however, to play a part in the final two days, when the two left-arm South Africans, Keshav Maharaj and George Linde, will be at the heart of their efforts to defend the whole. .
South Africa are effectively 29 for 4 and need to bat well if they are to challenge Pakistan. But Rabada believes they can still do enough to win the Test match. “That’s what we believe. That’s what we have to believe. Aiden (Markram) and Rassie (van der Dussen) batted well and in the subdivisions wickets can fall in We’ll always be tested and now we’re going to be tested again tomorrow We’re up for the challenge That’s why we work so hard – for times like this .Hopefully we can put the team in a good position and get some running on the board so we can set a target. “
As things stand, the game is slowly over after seeing the first three days, marking an exciting return to the longest form for Rabada. He has not played test cricket since appearing for South Africa against England at Port Elizabeth last January. In that time he has been a part of the IPL and T20I series against England, and he acknowledged that red ball games are a complex assessment of a player’s skills.
“Test cricket will never get old and it will never be easier. You are always challenged,” he said. “This is my first time playing Pakistan. That’s pretty amazing. This is the only place I haven’t played at and I’m glad I was able to play here. it ‘s been hard work, like any test game, especially in the subcontinent where you have to be a lot more patient, it tests you mentally, it tests you physically. which will be overcome by test cricket. “
Firdose Moonda is an ESPNcricinfo journalist in South Africa