Dale Steyn Praises Kagiso Rabada's Stellar Performance in WTC Final
Steyn Reflects on Rabada's Five-Wicket Haul
Dale Steyn, the legendary South African fast bowler, shared his thoughts on Kagiso Rabada's impressive five-wicket haul, highlighting that he always seizes opportunities to excel, calling Rabada's performance 'outstanding'.
Rabada's remarkable achievement was a standout moment during the first day of the ICC World Test Championship final, where South Africa faced Australia at Lord's. With this five-wicket haul, Rabada increased his Test wickets to 332, surpassing Allan Donald to become the fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test history. His victims included notable players such as Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc.
Steyn Analyzes Rabada's Bowling Skills
Steyn remarked, 'Rabada effectively swung the ball. The turning point was Alex Carey's poor shot on the first ball against Keshav Maharaj, which he didn't need to play. This dismissal opened up an end, allowing Rabada to capitalize and take wickets.'
He also noted that Marco Jansen found swing and targeted the stumps, similar to Australia's approach later in the match. 'Rabada is a phenomenal bowler who goes for the kill when he senses an opportunity. His greatness will be fully appreciated once he retires, but he was exceptional on Day 1,' Steyn, a JioStar expert, stated.
Starc's Impactful Spell on Day 1
Steyn also commented on Mitchell Starc's fiery bowling, where he took 2 wickets for just 10 runs in seven overs, leaving South Africa struggling at 43 for 4 after dismissing Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton early.
He explained, 'Starc's speed through the air can overwhelm batsmen. When players are nervous and their footwork is off, like Markram's, they can get caught in the crease. Starc had already beaten him a few times, and Rickelton's attempt to hit through the covers was thwarted by Starc's ability to adjust his length, causing the ball to rise unexpectedly and find the edge.'
Steyn Commends Starc's Big-Match Temperament
Steyn praised Starc for his 'big-match temperament,' which has been evident throughout his career. 'He has a history of performing under pressure, and when he succeeds, it becomes a habit. His reputation grows, and he earns the trust of his captain. His wickets often follow a similar pattern,' he concluded.
Day 1 Overview: Pace Bowlers Dominate
As the match unfolded, Australia, batting first after being put in by South Africa, found themselves at 67 for 4 by the end of the first session. A partnership of 79 runs between Steve Smith (66 off 112 balls, including 10 fours) and Beau Webster (72 off 92 balls, with 11 fours) helped Australia approach the 200-run mark. However, Rabada (5/51) and Jansen (3/49) maintained the pressure, restricting Australia to 212 runs.
South Africa had a disastrous start, losing four wickets for just 43 runs by the end of the day's play, with none of their batsmen scoring over 20 runs. Starc claimed two wickets, while Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood each took one. South Africa trails by 169 runs.