Rabada Ruled Out Of Australia Test Series With Hamstring
South Africa have been dealt a major blow ahead of their highly anticipated Test series against Australia, with Kagiso Rabada set to miss the entire series after suffering a serious hamstring injury.
Rabada sustained the injury during his winter training programme, and further assessments confirmed that the Proteas’ premier fast bowler suffered a Grade 3 tear to his right hamstring. The injury is expected to keep the 31-year-old sidelined for around two months.
The severity of the injury means Rabada will not be available for South Africa’s three-Test series against Australia, which begins in Durban on 9 October before moving to Gqeberha and Cape Town.
Lions bowling coach and former Proteas fast bowler Allan Donald confirmed the news, revealing that Rabada’s recovery timeline would rule him out of the Australian Tests.
“He’s going to be out for all the Aussie Tests as well,” Donald said, according to reports.
Rabada’s absence represents a significant setback for Temba Bavuma’s side, particularly given his outstanding record against Australia.
The fast bowler has taken 58 wickets at an average of 21.39 in 11 Tests against Australia, while his overall Test record stands at an impressive 340 wickets at an average of 22.03.
His importance to the Proteas was underlined during their historic World Test Championship triumph at Lord’s last year, when Rabada played a starring role in South Africa’s victory over Australia, finishing with nine wickets in the match.
South Africa will now have to find a way to replace the experience, pace and wicket-taking threat of their leading Test bowler. The Proteas do, however, possess considerable depth in their fast-bowling ranks, with options such as Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi and Gerald Coetzee available to fill the void.
Nevertheless, losing Rabada for a series against Australia is a considerable blow.
With the Proteas looking to build on their World Test Championship success and Australia arriving with a formidable pace attack, Rabada’s absence could have a significant impact on one of the most eagerly anticipated Test contests of the South African summer.
For now, South Africa will have to prepare for the series without the spearhead who has repeatedly delivered on the biggest stage.
