WTC Final: Dale Steyn reflects on Kagiso Rabada`s five-wicket haul against AUS

In the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, South Africa`s premier pacer Kagiso Rabada claimed five wickets on Day 1 of the Lord`s encounter.

Reflecting on his performance, legendary South African pacer Dale Steyn heaped praises on Rabada by saying he is just a fantastic bowler.

“He (Rabada) got the ball to swing well. It started with Alex Carey playing a poor first-ball shot to Keshav Maharaj, he did not need to play that. There was a sweeper out too. His dismissal opened up an end, and then Rabada came in and did what he does best–picked up wickets. Jansen also found swing and attacked the stumps, much like Australia did later. Australia actually took a leaf out of South Africa`s book. Rabada, once he senses an opportunity, goes for the kill. He is just a fantastic bowler. When he retires, we will truly be able to talk about his greatness, but on Day 1, he was outstanding,” said the veteran of 439 Test wickets.

On Day 1, the 30-year-old pacer returned with the figures of five wickets for 51 runs in 15.4 overs. Kagiso Rabada`s five-wicket haul took his Test tally to 332, helping him surpass Allan Donald to become the fourth-highest wicket-taker in Tests. His star-studded fifer included Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc.

In the second essay of the match, the Australian team bounced back with their premier pacer, Mitchell Starc, breathing fire.

Bowling seven overs, Starc concluded Day 1 with two wickets and 10 runs under his belt. He accounted for the wickets of Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton.

Speaking on Starc`s brilliance with the ball, Steyn said, “He is really quick through the air, and I certainly think he rushes a lot of batsmen. When you are a bit nervous and your feet are not moving the way you want, just like Aiden Markram, he was caught in the crease, unsure whether to go forward or not. Starc had already gone past the bat a few times, maybe even beaten him on the inside edge once or twice.”

“Then Rickelton decided he could hit it through the covers, and the best Test bowlers in the world have this ability to pull their length back just slightly. A batter thinks he has got it covered, but then it kicks up, moves just a little more, finds the edge. That is what Starc, (Pat) Cummins, and (Josh) Hazlewood have done so well over the years,” he added.

(With ANI Inputs)

This article first appeared on Mid Day