Australia was a downer: KG Rabada Compares South Africa to Australia
KG Rabada 8 wickets in Centurion vs WI (AP Photo)
South Africa wrapped the West Indies in the second innings inside 159 runs, and Kagiso Rabada emerged as the chief demolisher of the Windies batting. The Proteas seamer registered figures of 6/50 in the Centurion Test, registering his 13th five-wicket haul in the longest format of the game.
Apart from KG, the stylish batter Aiden Markram and the speedster Anrich Nortje were the top performers for the Proteas. Moreover, the Temba Bavuma-led unit would need to rejig a few pieces to make the puzzle work.
Before the regime shift, they were headed by Dean Elgar, but a brutal series loss in Australia saw a change in captains.
Rabada, after the Centurion Test, spoke about the team's last tour Down Under, where the team lost 2-nil - a series loss in Australia for the first time since the tour of 2005–06.
"You never stop learning in this game. There is always some sort of learning curve. Australia was a downer," Rabada said. "When you play on good wickets like that, you become a better bowler. That's was I took out of Australia. We always measure ourselves on intensity, and how we keep coming back," he added.
In the post-match interview, the Johannesburg-born further talked about the debutant, Gerald Coetzee. The fast-bowling all-rounder earned a Test call-up after impressing highly with his outing for Jo'Burg Super Kings in the inaugural SA20.
"He (Coetzee) spoke earlier about the headband, when he crosses the line, he becomes somewhere else. It is an additive to his pace. The pace is natural but backing that up is his mentality, he just wants to give it all."
KG also mentioned an anecdote about when he debuted against India in 2015 and even congratulated Aiden Markram for his brilliant ton.
"I was playing in Mohali on a dustbowl, so I think this is a bit better," he stated. "Aiden is a remarkable player. I have known him since the age-group level and he is a magnificent batter when he is on song. When you need him the most, he delivers. He is a BMT [big match temperament]," Rabada stated while concluding.
The caravan will now shift to Johannesburg for the second and final Test match between South Africa and West Indies.
 "Arjun Bhalla")
