Kagiso Rabada Hamstring Injury
South Africa’s situation ahead of the Test series against Australia is far from ideal: because of the Kagiso Rabada hamstring injury, he will therefore miss the upcoming One-Day Internationals. That, however, is not the selectors’ biggest concern right now. The far more pressing question is whether he will be fit enough to play in the Tests.
How Serious Is Kagiso Rabada’s Hamstring Injury?
Two of cricket’s most successful teams are set to go head-to-head in late September, with South Africa hosting Australia on home soil. The main focus will be on the Test series, which gets underway on October 9, but the two sides will first contest three ODIs.
Some players, including Australia captain Pat Cummins, are gearing up for the main event, so fans should not expect the ODI line-ups to be identical to those fielded in the Tests. Rabada, however, will miss the ODIs because of his hamstring injury. That is certainly worrying news for the Proteas, as he is one of their leading fast bowlers and a major weapon in attack.
Cricket South Africa has confirmed that Rabada is injured and will miss all three upcoming ODIs against Australia. His availability for the Test series remains uncertain and will be determined later in his rehabilitation.
Kagiso Rabada suffered a grade-three tear to his right hamstring during a training session. The matches against Australia are hugely important both for the team and for the player himself. At this stage, it is difficult to say exactly how serious the setback will prove to be.
Rabada’s bowling coach, Allan Donald, said the fast bowler could need up to 10 weeks to recover, a timeline that could rule him out of the entire Test series. Rabada is currently undergoing rehabilitation, and a final decision on his involvement in the October fixtures will be made based on how well his recovery progresses. If he responds well enough to treatment, there is still a chance that he could take the field in at least one of the three Tests.
What Impact Could Kagiso Rabada Hamstring Injury Have on the Tests?
Losing Rabada would be a massive blow for South Africa and could give Australia an opportunity to take advantage of their opponents’ problems. No cricketer wants to see a fellow professional get injured, even if they play for a rival side.
Josh Hazlewood nevertheless cracked a joke when asked about Kagiso Rabada hamstring injury: “I’m sure the batters would rather face someone else than KG.” He then struck a more serious note, adding that Rabada tends to bounce back quickly from physical setbacks because he is an unbelievable athlete.
Kagiso Rabada is the leading wicket-taker among the active members of South Africa’s squad, having claimed 340 wickets in 73 Tests at an average of 22.03. He is the lynchpin of the Proteas’ bowling attack. Rabada also played a crucial role in South Africa’s victory over Australia in last year’s ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s.
Rabada is no ordinary player, which is why South Africa will do everything in their power to help him recover. There is a great deal at stake for the Proteas, and the possible absence of one of their most important players only adds to the tension surrounding the series.
The upcoming three-match Test series will be played in Durban, Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town. The results could play a decisive role in determining who reaches the WTC Final. This will not be the first time the two sides have faced each other, but this time the battle will unfold on South African soil. Pride will therefore be another major factor for the Proteas.
If Rabada does not recover in time, South Africa will have to put their faith in the other bowlers in the squad. It is far from an ideal scenario, but the Proteas still have several strong players who are capable of putting up a serious fight against Australia.
