World ICC No. 1 Test bowler Kagiso Rabada kept charging at the Australians to pick a stunning 6/53 in the second innings and hand his side an important victory against Australia. The Proteas drew level in terms in the four-match Test series at 1-1. The 22-year-old Rabada was exceptional for the hosts after finishing with 11 scalps at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.
The in-form pacer put aside his disciplinary concerns helped South Africa clinch a six-wicket victory after his heroics ensured they needed to chase a modest 101 runs for victory.
FOUR! And that the game! Congratulations South Africa on their 6-wicket win. #ProteaFire #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/1lKG7qt0Of
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 12, 2018
ICC No. 1 Test Bowler & The star pacer, who has been banned from the remaining two tests of the series, took six for 54 as Australia were bowled out for 239 in their second innings. This came after he picked a five-for in the first innings. It was a feat he will be cherishing for long against an Australian side, who didn’t lose a game in the previous six Tests.
In pursuit of a mere 101 runs, South Africa lost four wickets before Theunis de Bruyn hit the winning runs. So what will South Africa do without their premier man for the remainder of the series? Although they will have a go at the Aussies with what they have, not having their No. 1 bowler will be an interesting scenario as the side will be wanting to build on this tremendous victory.
Kagiso Rabada is player of the match for his 11-wicket haul – the fourth time he's taken 10 or more wickets in a Test match.
He's still only 22 – what a talent!#SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/IDl2DsOeIh
— ICC (@ICC) March 12, 2018
Proteas chase down the target with ease
The Proteas will be mighty pleased for getting over the line in a breathtaking second Test against the Aussies. In the chase, Proteas opener Dean Elgar (5) departed quickly off a leading edge as the left-handed batsman stretched forward. It was a near-replica of Elgar’s dismissal to the off-spinner in the first innings of the first Test in Durban.
Aiden Markram had an escape in the second over of South Africa’s chase. With his score on six he was dropped at first slip by Mitchell Marsh off Hazlewood. Markram went on to make 21 runs and Josh Hazlewood had him this time after he nicked to the slip cordon with Steve Smith completing the rest.
Hashim Amla and De Villiers added 49 before both were dismissed with the score reading 89/4. Amla was caught behind off Pat Cummins for 27 and De Villiers fell to Lyon three balls later. AB, whose 126 not out enabled South Africa to lead by 139 runs on the first innings, hit a quick 28 off 26 balls before he was caught at short leg off Nathan Lyon with 20 runs still needed.
Rabada rips apart Australia
There was a shadow hanging over the 22-year-old fast bowler, but despite that it was a special show in Port Elizabeth as fans will remember the hostility he created in getting the Australians submit themselves to his brilliance.Rabada took the first three of the five Australian wickets that fell for the addition of 59 runs on Monday. He completed the Test with figures of 11 for 150.
The youngster struck in the first over of the morning when he bowled Mitchell Marsh for 45 with a ball which swung in sharply. Pat Cummins fell to a sharp catch at gully by Theunis de Bruyn and Mitchell Starc edged a drive to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.
Lyon was caught behind off Lungi Ngidi and last man Josh Hazlewood hit a quick 17 before being caught in the deep off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. Tim Paine was left unbeaten on 28.
Rabada faces two-Test suspension
Rabada has been suspended for South Africa’s next two Test matches after being found guilty of a Level 2 ICC Code of Conduct offence of ‘inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player’. He has received a fine of 50 percent of his match fee and three demerit points after a disciplinary hearing following his denial of the charge.
Rabada has accumulated eight demerit points within a 24-month period, automatically leading to a two-match suspension. The incident happened in the 52nd over of Australia’s first innings of the second Test, when moving towards the slips, Rabada made contact with Steve Smith with his shoulder.
Rabada was hit with a further charge on Monday, a level one offence, following a send-off of David Warner on Sunday.
Brief Scores:Â South Africa 382 (De Villiers 126*, Elgar 57, Amla 56, Cummins 3-79) and 102 for 4 beats Australia 243 (Warner 63, Rabada 5-96, Ngidi 3-51) and 239 (Khawaja 75, Rabada 6-54) by 6 wickets.