‘Best in the world’: Rabada receives high praise ahead of WTC Final

Kagiso Rabada's teammates believe there is no better fast bowler to have in their ranks ahead of one of the cricketing nation’s most important ever Test matches.

The spearhead is second in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings, behind only Jasprit Bumrah, but a number of Rabada’s teammates are adamant he is the perfect asset in their World Test Championship Final aspirations – not to mention quite relieved he’s on their team and they don’t have to face him.

“KG’s the best bowler in the world,” wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne confidently declared, speaking exclusively to the ICC before the World Test Championship decider, which starts at Lord’s on Wednesday.

“Without a doubt, he’s the best bowler in the world and I think he’s one of those guys that always wants to do it on the big stage and you don’t get any stages bigger than this, so I think he’s going to be massive for us.”

Those sentiments were echoed by fellow team mate David Bedingham, who looks forward to seeing what Rabada can deliver on the unique Lord’s wicket, which always offers opportunities for accurate bowlers.

“I genuinely think he’s the best bowler in the world,” said Bedingham.

“He’s played here (Lord’s), he’s taken wickets here before, so him going well will go a long way to us winning the whole thing. He’s an amazing person… and he makes our jobs a lot easier. He’s the leader of our attack.”

As South Africa look to end their ICC silverware drought, their players are hyper aware it’ll be crucial that their stars relish and handle the high pressure environment that comes on stages of this magnitude.

“(Rabada) gets up for the really big moments,” opener Aiden Markram said.

“He wants to lead from the front and he takes a lot of guys with him on that journey. So, obviously a big player for us, but he’s (also) been complemented really well in the bowling department by everyone else and they’ve, sort of, found a way to work really well together.

“No doubt he’s the leader of the attack, but he pulls guys with him and guys tend to follow.”

Also speaking exclusively to ICC Digital, batter Tristan Stubbs added that Rabada will be in peak damage-inflicting form when he’s handed the rock at Lord’s.

“He’s an amazing bowler and he’s fresh and ready to go,” he said.

“I’m happy he’s on my team.”

Rabada earned a spot on the Lord’s honour board the last time the Proteas played a Test at the hallowed venue, as South Africa beat England by an innings and 12 runs in August, 2022.

The fast bowler compiled a first innings return of 5/52 off 19 overs – and seven scalps for the match.

“I remember the wicket was quite busy,” Markram continued.

“We were in the slip cordon and we were on edge the whole time, because it felt like every ball you could get a catch. But, (Rabada) bowled really well.

“He used the (Lord’s) slope and various angles really well, broke partnerships when there was a partnership to break and did what he does… so special to have been on the field.”

As wicket-keeper, Verreynne is uniquely poised to witness what makes Rabada the star he is – or in his words, a ‘different beast’. The 28-year-old was behind the stumps when hios team-mate took that special five-for at Lord’s a few years ago,

“Any game that he plays in, any team that he plays for, KG with the Proteas badge, and I think especially in white kit, is a different beast.

“I know how much Test cricket means to him and I know how much he loves this current team and this space, so putting all of those things into his performance, I think he’ll be a massive threat.”