Kagiso Rabada has etched his name into Lord's history, joining an incredibly exclusive club! The Proteas fast bowler now shares a unique honour with West Indies legend Gordon Greenidge: having his name on both the home and away honours boards at the hallowed cricket ground.
Rabada's Historic Feat
This incredible achievement comes after Rabada's sensational five-wicket haul against Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. He adds his name to the away honours board for a previous 5-wicket haul against England in 2022. Only Greenidge before him had accomplished this rare feat. Greenidge appears on the away board for his scores of 214 not out and 103 against England in the 1980s, and on the home board for a century playing for the MCC.
Rabada's 5-51 performance is already marked on the board with temporary batting tape, awaiting its permanent golden inscription. The fact that neutral tests are no longer recognized on the renovated honours boards makes his placement even more significant.
"It was cool to have it in the home changing room now," Rabada said, acknowledging the prestige of the moment.
WTC Final: Day 2 Preview
But the WTC final is far from over! South Africa faces a crucial Day 2, resuming at 68/4, trailing Australia by 169 runs. Temba Bavuma (18) and David Bedingham (17) will need to build a significant partnership to keep the Proteas in the game.
The Australian pacers, led by Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood, will be eager to exploit the conditions and put South Africa under further pressure. Ryan Rickelton showed promise on Day 1, but the Proteas need more from their top order.
Key Players and Strategies
- South Africa's Batting: Bavuma and Bedingham hold the key to South Africa's recovery.
- Australia's Pace Attack: Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood will look to continue their dominance.
- Steve Smith: His gritty half-century on Day 1 proved crucial for Australia.
The WTC final promises more thrilling cricket. Can South Africa fight back, or will Australia solidify their position? Tune in to find out!