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Legendary South African fast bowler Allan Donald has heaped praise on Kagiso Rabada after his outstanding performance helped the Proteas side defeat Australia 2-1 in the recent three-match Test series. Donald highlighted Kagison Rabada's importance to the South Africa national cricket team and explained how his return completely changed the bowling attack after the first Test defeat.
Rabada missed the first Test in Durban due to a right hamstring injury but made a strong comeback in the next two Test matches against Australia. He picked up 10 wickets across the second and third Tests and played a key role in South Africa's memorable Test series win over Australia at home.
Kagiso Rabada's absence costs South Africa in first Test against Australia
Kagiso Rabada missed the opening Test against Australia in Durban because of a right hamstring injury. The fast bowler had suffered the injury during winter training and had not played competitive cricket since May.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma and the team management decided not to take any risks and gave the premier pacer more time to recover fully. Rabada’s absence proved costly as South Africa suffered a heavy 214-run defeat, allowing Australia to take a 1-0 lead in the Test series.
Read Also: Allan Donald calls Temba Bavuma a “quiet little warrior” after South Africa’s Test series win over Australia.
Kagiso Rabada's return turns the series around as South Africa complete 2-1 win
However, Rabada returned for the second Test in Gqeberha and made a big difference. He picked up six wickets across both innings while leading the South African bowling attack. Despite suffering from stomach cramps on the second day, he continued to trouble the Australian batters.
His presence helped South Africa to register a massive victory by an innings and 31 runs to level the series three-match Test series 1-1 against Australia. Rabada continued his brilliant performance in the third Test in Cape Town, taking four wickets in the match.
Rabada’s spell played a key role in South Africa’s historic 176-run victory in the Cape Town Test to win the home series 2-1 against Australia. He also achieved a major milestone by becoming the fastest bowler to complete 350 Test wickets.
Allan Donald compares Kagiso Rabada's importance to Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath
Having been impressed by the fast bowler’s impact, Allan Donald felt South Africa's bowling attack lacked its usual strength without Kagiso Rabada in the first Test. He even compared Rabada's importance to the impact legends Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath had on the Australian team.
Allan Donald was quoted as saying to Hindustan Times, “In that first Test, you just felt KG’s absence. When he came back in Cape Town, the intensity lifted. He's just one of those players. You leave a Shane Warne or a Glenn McGrath out of an Australian team, and that leaves a hole. The amount of venom that he bowled with in that second innings... his pace was up at 145 to 148.”
Read Also: Brendan Taylor scripts history with Test century at 40 against Afghanistan.
Allan Donald backs Kagiso Rabada to become South Africa's greatest fast bowler
Donald also praised Kagiso Rabada's passion for playing for South Africa, especially against Australia. He believes the fast bowler has the potential to become one of the greatest pacers produced by the country.
The legendary bowler added, “He lifted himself because that's what it means to play for South Africa for KG Rabada. He’s going to be one of, if not the greatest, fast bowlers that South Africa has produced. He already has 350 wickets and still looks like a spring chicken.”
He signed off by saying, “I saw him the other day at SuperSport Park, and he was coming for his hamstring injury rehab. Not many realize that he's a big man. Six foot three and a half, four. Just an amazing athlete. And his passion to beat Australia absolutely showed. Every time he plays against Australia, he elevates his passion for playing for the Proteas even higher.”
