Kagiso Rabada’s second spell proved decisive in the Proteas’ victory over Australia.
Rabada came back in the 20th over for his second spell, with Australia in a relatively comfortable position needing 108 runs in 31 overs. But the young Proteas paceman showed composure at a crucial point in the game.
In the fourth ball of the over he claimed his second wicket of the match, when he angled one in off a good length, at 145km/h, for Matthew Wade to edge behind for 2. In his following over, he built up pressure with three dot balls to Nathan Coulter-Nile and cleaned bowled him with an inswinging yorker. That removed Aaron Finch’s support system and left Australia on 85-7. He had taken 2-2 in two overs and ended with 3-13 from seven, strangling the Australians at a rate of 1.85 an over.
That spell from Rabada proved a turning point for the Proteas who then wrapped up the tail in the 34th over, to claim a 47-run win.
Photo: AFP
