He wasn't on song if I can single him out: Charl Langeveldt on Kagiso Rabada


image-lc7jkdetRabada has been ineffective in Boxing Day Test [Source: Associated Press]

South Africa are on the cusp of another Test defeat against Australia after the hosts gained a mammoth 386-run lead in the ongoing second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The South African bowlers proved to be ineffective on a track that offered nothing, as the likes of Alex Carey, Travis Head, and Cameron Green looted runs on Day 3.

Bowling coach Charl Langeveldt pinned major blame on the spearhead of the attack, Kagiso Rabada, who snapped just one in the first innings, giving away 144 runs. 

Interestingly, Rabada is the leading-wicket taker in Tests in 2022, with 47 scalps, one ahead of England's Jack Leach (46). 

According to ESPNcricinfo, Langeveldt also sounded alarm bells about giving away too many runs, and showing lack of discipline, something South African attack is known for.

"I think KG wasn't on song if I can single him out. For KG, he is a wicket-taker, he always takes wickets. The challenge always for him is to be able to control that. I think Cummins when he started off, he leaked a few runs but then he got consistent, and he was aggressive. 

And I think that's [Rabada's] challenge going forward to make him a brilliant bowler. At the moment he is one of the leading wicket-takers in red-ball cricket. But going forward playing on flatter wickets, I think that's going to be the challenge for him."

The Proteas are 15 for 1 at stumps on Day 3, trailing Australia by 371 runs, with Sarel Erwee and Theunis de Bruyn batting on 7* and 6*, respectively. 


Also Read: Alex Carey's maiden Test ton pushes South Africa on verge of defeat