Kagiso Rabada vows to rise above media scrutiny ahead of World Test Championship final

FOLLOWING the recent drug scandal, Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada vowed that he will not be slowed down in the World Test Championship final, regardless of what the English, Australian media or the Australian players throw at him.

With the Australian team known for their bully mentality and approach to the game, it goes without saying that they will use it in an attempt to deter Rabada from the job at hand.

The media in the United Kingdom is known for its critical approach, especially when professional athletes have been found in the wrong, as in Rabada's case.

However, the 30-year-old is fully aware of what lies ahead as they land in London today, having flown out from OR Tambo International Airport on Friday.

"That doesn't change if I'm playing the game of cricket. That's just what we have to deal with as sportsmen, as athletes. Any verbal abuse or if the media wants to say something about you, it's normal. That's the field that we play in," Rabada told the media on Friday.  

"You can't be ignorant of it, you just have to be aware of it 100 per cent, but I don't think it's anything that's going to slow me down."

With the fast bowler set to lead the bowling attack in what is undoubtedly the biggest Test match of their careers, Rabada emphasised that he is still focused on his role despite all the off-field drama that follows him.

“It's always been about cricket. Unfortunately, as athletes, we are always going to be in the public eye. So a lot of things are going to be known about us than someone who's not in the public eye. It's not going to be the same thing for someone who's not (in the public eye)," said Rabada.

"It's the territory that we're in and moving into the World Test Championship, the focus is simple. The focus is really simple. It's about going there to perform. That's the whole reason that we're going there."

The last time the Proteas played at Lord's, they beat England by an innings with Rabada having taken a five-wicket haul and thereby slotting himself into the honours board at Lord's.

The fast bowler highlighted that this time around he the team's success is more important than individual success.

The 30-year-old reiterated that he has learnt his lessons from his ban and that he is grateful to be playing the game he loves again.

"Lord's is a special ground and I'm glad to be on the honours board there. To be there along with some great company. So hopefully I can get on it again. But if I don't get on it and we win, I'd rather take that," said Rabada.

If I had to elaborate a bit more and move away from it and see how it influenced me, I think it led me to a bit of introspection about myself, and took some time away from the game. The biggest thing that I took from it was having gratitude for playing the game that we love, and I'm just glad to be back playing again.

The decision to come back early was brilliant. I think that's a decision that I made. Could have tried to contest it and whatnot. I think that in my statement, I was very sincere about how I feel about it. I think as a player and as a man, people will have their different opinions about it, and I can live with that.

"There will be people who will be for you, there will be people who are against you and I can live with that. That's fine. (5:47) But I know that I can still play the game of cricket, and nothing changes.

"I'm going to keep playing for the country, keep doing my best, and live with whatever comes my way. The world doesn't revolve around me. There are people out there who are going through a lot worse."