Paceman Kagiso Rabada fires South Africa to victory over Australia
Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis describes 21-year-old’s performance as ‘phenomenal’ in inspiring his side to a thumping win in first test
South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis described Kagiso Rabada’s performance as “phenomenal” after the young paceman helped turn a parlous situation in the first cricket test against Australia into a thumping 177-run victory on Monday.
The tourists had done well to get to 242 all out after being 5-81 on day one but were looking down the barrel of a heavy defeat when Australia raced to 158 without loss on day two.
Matters got worse when, having finally broken the opening partnership, South Africa’s pace spearhead Dale Steyn was forced off the field with a shoulder fracture that ruled him out of the series.
Already without regular captain AB de Villiers, the South Africans rallied where they might have folded and dismissed Australia for 244 with Rabada and debutant spinner Keshav Maharaj pitching in with five of the wickets.
After centuries from JP Duminy and Dean Elgar helped them to 540 for eight declared, Rabada then took 5-92 to ensure Australia never got close to their victory target of 539.