Australia assistant coach Matthew Wade said his team expects a hard battle from Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada. Rabada is close to a return for the second Test, which starts on Sunday at St George’s Park in Gqeberha.
Australia lead the three-match series 1-0. They beat South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test in Durban.
“The thing that stands out with him is his competitiveness,” Wade said of Rabada. “He takes it to the opposition. He’ll be in our face and he’ll keep coming for the whole Test match.”
Wade also spoke about Rabada bowling alongside Anrich Nortje. “Him and Anrich Nortje can share those short, sharp spells and really attack as hard as they want,” he said.
Rabada missed the series opener. He was finishing his recovery from a hamstring injury. According to IOL, he bowled with pace and aggression in the nets next to the Australian training area.
The Australians trained in Gqeberha on Thursday and Friday. They used the sessions to study the local pitch and prepare for a stronger South African pace attack.
Australia are likely to wait a little longer for all-rounder Cameron Green. He has started light batting in the nets after an abdominal strain. Wade said the second Test comes too soon for him.
“Greeny is here and he’ll be hitting over the next week,” Wade said. “I think he is probably more likely for the third Test in Cape Town, but he’s starting to get moving again, which is a really positive sign.”
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood took 6/49 in South Africa’s second innings at Kingsmead. It was the best figures of his career and helped Australia to the win.
Hazlewood said hard and firm South African pitches are helping bowlers get reverse swing. “If the wicket is hard, firm, deteriorating and there’s not much seam movement, you’re probably going to get that reverse swing,” he said.
He said bowlers want a slightly harder ball with only a little reverse swing. A soft ball that swings a lot is easier for batters to handle, he said.
Hazlewood said the Kingsmead pitch was rough and very hard underfoot. “We probably got a hint of swing in the first innings and then as the game goes, it just deteriorates more and you get a bit more,” he said.
Australia broke the first Test open on day three in Durban. The second Test starts on Sunday in Gqeberha, and the third Test will be played in Cape Town.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.