SA vs AUS 2018: We Will Look to Fire up Rabada in the Test Series - Steven Smith

The four-match Test series between Australia and South Africa is likely to be an intensely fought battle.

Meanwhile, the verbal war has already begun with Australian skipper Steven Smith hinting at firing up Kagiso Rabada. Further, Rabada looked in form in the recently concluded Test series against India. The host South Africa defeated India by 2-1.

Both the teams look well balanced after a short cooling break in all the departments. However, it is the bowling department which will hold the key to success. Both the teams have world-class fast bowlers capable of winning matches single-handedly.

On one side, Australia has a fearsome trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins while one the other South Africa has the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel.

However, Australian skipper Steven Smith has revealed his plans of countering the threat of Rabada.

Look to Fire up Rabada:

Smith while talking to cricket.com.au reminded the number one bowler in Test ranking is just one incident away from a two-Test suspension. Further, he admitted they could plan and fire him up.

“It could perhaps be a plan to try and get him fired up. You never know what some guys do when they’re fired up. He’s obviously a quality bowler and a big player for them. You don’t want to see guys getting suspended or anything like that, you want to come up against the best, but you never know,” Smith said.

Lehmann echoed Smith’s words:

Speaking on the same lines, Darren Lehmann also admitted to negotiating Rabada better. Further, he added Australia needs to play him better.

“He’s a fiery character, so we’ll just play it as we see it. At the end of the day, we’ve got to play him better than we did in Australia a couple of years ago (where Rabada captured 15 wickets in the 2-1 series win to South Africa). He’s a quality bowler, so for us to get on top of him it’s going to be key to how we play in the series,” Lehman concluded.

Meanwhile, the Test series will start proceedings from March 1 at Durban.

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