Senior paceman Dale Steyn said yesterday his fellow quick Kagiso Rabada would bring a lot of “heat” to the South African bowling attack in this week’s Test series-opener against Australia in Perth
Kagiso Rabada
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Perth: Senior paceman Dale Steyn said yesterday his fellow quick Kagiso Rabada would bring a lot of “heat” to the South African bowling attack in this week’s Test series-opener against Australia in Perth.
Steyn, the veteran of the Proteas’ new-ball attack with 416 wickets in 84 Tests, gave the Australian batsmen a sense of what they will be facing in the first of three Tests starting at the WACA Ground tomorrow.
“A lot of heat,” the 33-year-old told reporters when asked what to expect from Rabada, who is 21. “He’s really quick and he’s got a great head on his shoulders. He’s always looking to learn and his record (29 wickets at 24.44 from eight Tests) is pretty amazing for such a young guy, especially a bowler. Only current Test bowler Vernon Philander (30.98) and former all-rounder Mike Procter (36.93) can claim a better strike rate among South African bowlers than Rabada’s current strike of a wicket every 38.93 deliveries.
“It doesn’t feel like he’s been in this team for a long time but it’s actually almost three years now so he’s learned a lot and he’s an incredible talent,” Steyn said.