Proteas' Kagiso Rabada to unleash the beast against Australia, predicts Geoffrey Toyana
UNLEASH THE BEAST Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada (pictured) is expected to deliver a strong performance against Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, with Geoffrey Toyana predicting the fast bowler will thrive under sledging pressure.Puicture: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
There will be no concerns about Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada not being at his best against Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final starting at Lord’s on Wednesday, according to Geoffrey Toyana.
First ball is at 11.30am SA time.
Rabada spent his formative years at the Lions, where Toyana was a key figure in identifying the future talent who would later become the leader of the Proteas attack.
Rabada, 30, was at the centre of a controversy the last couple of months, after he announced at the end of April he had tested positive for a banned recreational drug.
The drug was later confirmed to be cocaine. By the time Rabada made the announcement, he had just about completed his one-month ban and swiftly returned to action for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Rabada’s Sledging Showdown: A Key Battle in the WTC Final Against Australia
Now, as Rabada turns his attention to the WTC final, he will no doubt be one of the main targets for the Aussies to sledge.
“When it comes to KG, he is a massive player, wherever he plays around the world,” Toyana told IOL Sport in an exclusive interview.
“He’s a big player for South Africa. He’s gone to the media as well to dare Australia to like bring it on. Sledging KG, you’re just going to bring out the best in him. He knows that he’s made a mistake and we all make mistakes as people as well.
“So KG will have that sledging and he’ll come hard at the Aussies. Like he always does. When KG plays against Australia, he just becomes a different beast. And I expect to see the same again from him. I’m looking forward to it, I can’t wait.”
Weather Forecast and Toss Strategy for Day One at Lord’s
The initial weather forecast is for warm but cloudy conditions on day one, which could be good for bowling first. Bowling first, however, would be a big call for skipper Temba Bavuma to make.
“The toss at Lord’s, I think, is that ground where, like you look up, then down because the wicket is always good at Lord’s,” said Toyana.
“But I think the conditions, if it’s cloudy and overcast, the ball will swing.
“I expect if Temba wins the toss to bowl those conditions. But if the weather is good and it’s sunny, you can still bat there. It’s a very, very good wicket.”
Dane Paterson Expected to Boost Proteas in WTC Final with County Cricket Experience
One player who Toyana expects to make the starting XI is seam bowler Dane Paterson. Though not a regular in the Proteas setup with just seven Tests under his belt, the experienced quick has been playing county cricket in England for Middlesex since mid-April. In that time, Paterson has played three matches at Lord’s and will know the current conditions well.
“I do expect Dane Patterson to play because I think this season he’s played about five games for Middlesex and their home ground is Lord’s.
“The last few years he’s played county cricket. He can swing the ball in those conditions in England.”
Toyana went on to suggest that a strong performance in the WTC final would help SA compete better financially with the big three in world cricket - India, England and Australia.
“The World Test Championship final, it's a big thing for the country. A big thing for South Africa, and our cricket as a whole.
“The last few years have been tough for us in terms of the big three. You know the big three taking over like our game, India, Australia and England.
“So us making the final is a massive thing for the country and it's huge. We're going to support our boys in this final.”