Kagiso Rabada Test Series Availability in Doubt After Grade-Three Hamstring Tear- IPL

Kagiso Rabada’s participation in South Africa’s upcoming Test series against Australia is in doubt after he suffered a right hamstring injury. He has already been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against Australia, scheduled from September 24 to 30.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed on August 21 that Rabada’s winter training programme had been disrupted by the injury. The fast bowler is under the supervision of the Proteas medical team and is undergoing rehabilitation.

A report in Afrikaans publication Rapport quoted Lions bowling coach Allan Donald as saying Rabada could be out for nine or 10 weeks because of a grade-three tear. CSA has not confirmed the severity of the injury.

Test Series Availability Uncertain

CSA said Rabada’s selection for the Test series will depend on his recovery. The board added that a decision on his availability will be made closer to the series. The first Test against Australia is scheduled at Kingsmead on October 9, with the three-match series set to finish at Newlands on October 31. A 10-week recovery period from August 21 would take Rabada’s return close to October 16.

Rabada is South Africa’s leading active Test wicket-taker, with 340 wickets at an average of 22.03 in 73 matches. He remains the key figure in the team’s pace attack, especially with South Africa facing several important Test matches in the World Test Championship cycle.

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Major Blow for South Africa

South Africa need seven wins from their next 10 Tests to guarantee a place in the WTC final. Their schedule includes matches against Australia, England and Bangladesh at home, followed by a series in Sri Lanka from November to March.

Rabada played a major role in South Africa’s five-wicket victory over Australia in the WTC final at Lord’s last June. He took 5/51 in the first innings and 4/59 in the second innings. His record against Australia at home also highlights his importance. During the 2018 series, he took 23 wickets at 19.26. He claimed nine wickets at Kingsmead and 11 at St George’s Park.

South Africa Have Pace Options

South Africa still have several fast-bowling options despite Rabada’s injury. Gerald Coetzee is fit after dealing with injuries and recently impressed against Bangladesh A. He took 3/31 and 1/29 in a four-day match in Pretoria.

Twenty-year-old Kwena Maphaka has also shown signs of progress. He impressed during the A tour of England in June and recently bowled his full spell in a T20I against Zimbabwe in Windhoek, taking 1/24.

Duan Jansen has also made a promising start to his international career. He took 2/32 against Namibia and followed it with 3/45 against Zimbabwe. Lungi Ngidi is another option, with South Africa keen to see whether his success with slower deliveries in white-ball cricket can translate into Test cricket. Rabada remains South Africa’s leading fast bowler, but the team has enough pace resources to cover for his absence if required.

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