Cricket

Test cricket needs to be prioritised more, says Proteas star Rabada



South African bowling spearhead Kagiso Rabada has expressed his disappointment that the Proteas now have so little Test cricket to look ahead to.

Following the on-going two-Test collection in South Africa towards the West Indies, the Proteas will solely play red-ball cricket once more on the finish of the 12 months when India go to South Africa, when they are going to once more play only a two-Test collection.

In 2024, the Proteas can even face New Zealand in two away Tests, the West Indies in two away Tests, Bangladesh in two away Tests after which host Sri Lanka for 2 Tests and Pakistan for 2 Tests.

‘Pinnacle of game’

Rabada, who took six for 50 for the Proteas within the West Indies’ second innings within the first Test in Centurion on Thursday to assist his aspect win the sport by 87 runs, stated the one disappointment of the win was figuring out there was only one extra match left within the collection earlier than the Proteas subsequent play a Test on the finish of the 12 months.

“We’re not playing as much Test cricket as we’d like to,” stated Rabada.

“I really feel Test cricket is the head of the sport, and I feel all of the gamers within the change-room really feel the identical manner.

“It is a disappointing facet, particularly while you have a look at our crew and the potential we possess. We’ve received batters and younger bowlers who one would really like to see mature on this format. It’s unlucky. When we do play it simply means we’ve to study rapidly.

“The solely manner we will get higher is by taking part in extra Test cricket. I’d like to see a change in future. Our subsequent Test (after this collection) is on Boxing Day (December 26) right here at residence.

“Test cricket needs to be prioritised more. I can ask for it, but I’m not in charge of that. These are the cards we’ve been dealt.”

‘Frustrating’

Captain Temba Bavuma, who took cost of his first Test after taking on the reins from Deal Elgar agreed with Rabada.

“It is a bit irritating. We have voiced it (how we really feel), however there’s not a lot we will do.

“We have chatted to officers at Cricket South Africa to assist with efforts to attempt improve the variety of video games. It’s up to them.

“As a new team we’re trying to build something and want to give guys opportunities to showcase what they can do. (Not playing a lot) makes it hard. But, these are the cards we’ve been dealt, and we can only do with what we have.”

Milestones

Rabada’s fellow quick bowler Anrich Nortje, who took 5 first innings wickets when the West Indies batted stated it was laborious to have fun such milestones these days.

“It’s clearly a special day after we get a chance to take 5 or attain a kind of milestones … however taking part in simply 4 Tests a 12 months means you don’t suppose an excessive amount of about them since you hardly play.

“It’s hard. You can’t compare what the greats have done in the past. They played a lot of Test cricket, that was their main format, whereas we have four in a year and maybe eight or 10 in two years.”

The second Test towards the West Indies begins subsequent Wednesday on the Wanderers.


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