Kagiso Rabada elated with South Africa's start in the first Test
Rabada was on fire during the first day of the Test match against England
South Africa dominated the proceedings on the rain curtailed first day of the first Test of the three match series against England at Lord's on Wednesday (August 17).
Proteas admittedly won a very good toss in overcast conditions, and the decision was proved to be right as the visitors reduced the home side to a mere 116 for the loss of six wickets. The seamers proved Dean Elgar's decision right as the new ball trio of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen exploited the conditions upfront with the new ball.
Rain stopped play just six overs into the afternoon session but it was long enough for the Proteas to claim a sixth England wicket to leave the opposition struggling on 116 for six after just 32 overs on the opening day of the first test at Lord’s.
Rabada, passed fit following an ankle injury, removed the English openers Alex Lees and Zak Crawley early on during a return of 2-36 in 12 overs.
The Proteas pace spearhead had left-hander Lees caught behind for five and removed struggling right-handed opener Crawley for nine after he nicked a ball that nipped away low to Aiden Markram at second slip.
Proteas rewarded for discipline and consistency
Reflecting on Day one's performance, Rabada said the Proteas pacers got rewards for landing the ball in the right areas.
“We’ve always bowled the same, there was a bit in the wicket today and we got reward for putting the ball in the right areas. Normally in Test cricket you tend to do the same thing over and over, but you do have slightly different plans for each batter,” Kagiso Rabada said after the end of play on Day 1 at Lord's.
“Different teams have different strategies, and I guess it's just about adapting to what the opposition throws at you. There’s nothing going around that brings any animosity or white line fever. It’s just about adapting to the team’s strategy. The opposition can play however they want, that’s Okay.”
Rabada (9-1-26-2) returned for three more overs before the break and was unfortunate not to claim a third wicket.
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
