South Africa national cricket team’s bowling coach, Pete Botha, has provided a major update on the fitness of fast bowler Kagiso Rabada ahead of the second Test match of the series against the India national cricket team.
The South Africa national cricket team will take on the India national cricket team in the second Test match in Guwahati and the play is scheduled to begin on November 22.
Kagiso Rabada missed selection in the first test
Rabada is considered one of the best bowlers in the world at present and has the ability to defeat the opposition team in any situation.
He was scheduled to be in the Proteas’ playing eleven for the first Test against India at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, but was dropped from the game at the last minute.
Actually, the right-arm fast bowler suffered a rib injury during a training session in South Africa and then had to undergo several medical tests and evaluations before the match.
However, he could not pass the fitness test and was ruled out of this important match. The absence of Kagiso Rabada had no impact on South Africa as players like Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj and Marco Johnson delivered in the bowling department and led their team to an impressive 30-run win.
Kagiso Rabada is still being monitored – South Africa’s bowling coach
After the opening match of the Test series, it was reported that leading fast bowler Rabada was doubtful for the second match and Cricket South Africa (CSA) included Lungi Ngidi in the squad as cover, with the star fast bowler being added to the squad in Kolkata.
However, now Proteas bowling coach Kagiso Rabada has come up with a fresh update. Pete Botha said the 30-year-old is still being monitored by the medical team and they will make a final decision on his availability for the second Test within the next 24 hours.
“Kagiso Rabada is still under surveillance [rib injury]”We will take a decision on his participation in the next 24 hours,” South Africa’s bowling coach Pete Botha was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz,
We have been told that the wicket we have (in Guwahati) is a good track for batting – Pete Botha
Botha further talked about the pitch for the Guwahati Test, saying that he had heard that a good batting track would be prepared after the poor surface in the Kolkata Test.
“We have been told that the wicket (in Guwahati) is a good track to bat on. But it makes a lot of difference whether you have grass or not. With two days left, we will have to wait to see if it starts turning first,” Pete Botha was quoted as saying by PTI.
Botha also confirmed that veteran spinner Simon Harmer has been cleared of any injury concerns and that his shoulder is fine.
Pete Botha said, “Simon Harmer has no problem with his shoulder. If the ball starts turning quickly like in Kolkata, he will be dangerous with so many left-handed players.”
Also read: South Africa gives official medical update on Simon Harmer
