South Africa Bowlers Breathe Easier as Batters Find Their Groove
Rabada humorously acknowledged the newfound luxury of time for the bowlers, stating, “Whenever we get two days to put our feet up, I'm more than happy. So if we can sleep, you know, whilst they're batting, that's fantastic, so they must keep it up.” He emphasized the boost in confidence stemming from the batters' performances, particularly in subcontinental conditions.
In Chittagong, Bangladesh, South Africa's cricket team is celebrating a notable turnaround in their batting performance, which has brought much-needed relief to their previously pressured bowling unit. Following a successful two-match Test series against Bangladesh, the bowlers expressed their satisfaction with the improved form of their batters, which has significantly eased the burden on them.
Kagiso Rabada, who was instrumental in the series by taking 14 wickets across the two Tests, returned to the top of the International Cricket Council's Test bowler rankings. He remarked on the positive shift, noting that the bowlers no longer feel as much pressure to single-handedly secure victories for the team.
In the first Test, South Africa scored 308 runs in their first innings and successfully chased down a target of 106 runs, winning by seven wickets. The second Test saw the team declare at a staggering 575 for 6, ultimately winning by an innings and 273 runs. The series included three centuries, with players scoring their maiden Test tons—only the second instance in Test cricket history where this occurred in a single match.
Rabada humorously acknowledged the newfound luxury of time for the bowlers, stating, “Whenever we get two days to put our feet up, I'm more than happy. So if we can sleep, you know, whilst they're batting, that's fantastic, so they must keep it up.” He emphasized the boost in confidence stemming from the batters' performances, particularly in subcontinental conditions.
Reflecting on the progress since the beginning of the year, Rabada highlighted the impressive batting display during India's tour of South Africa, where the series ended in a draw. He noted that despite challenging conditions, players stepped up to deliver when it mattered most.
The 29-year-old fast bowler acknowledged that the team has undergone a transition but is now finding its rhythm. "I think we almost like coming into a bit of a sweet spot. I've been really impressed with the guys that have recently come on board and how they're making an impact,” he concluded, looking forward to continuing this upward trajectory.
