The fast launcher of Proteas Kagiso Rabada
- Proteas bowling coach Charl Langeveldt has challenged Kagiso Rabada to bowl with better control after a bad day at the office.
- Rabada conceded 144 runs in his 28 overs with the two scalps as Australia scored 575 in what may be his only innings.
- Langeveldt said there was an element of control missing from South Africa’s bowling in the second Test.
Proteas bowling coach Charl Langeveldt has laid out a challenge for leading pacer Kagiso Rabada to be better with his control after South Africa chased the leather on the third day of the second Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Australia’s 575/8 return came on a run rate of 3.96, which was a better return than the 4.24 the hosts managed on day two.
However, it remained a black mark that the Proteas, who pride themselves on having an excellent bowling attack, were taken to the dry cleaners by Australia.
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Unless Australian spinner Nathan Lyon (44) has a field day on Thursday, Rabada (47) is in line to become the Test wicket-taking leader in 2022.
Of the top 10 bowlers this year, Rabada has an astonishing economy rate of 3.90, which is why Langeveldt pleaded for better control of Rabada.
“KG is a wicket taker, but the challenge for him is to be able to control that,” Langeveldt said.
“When Pat Cummins started, he leaked a few runs, but he became more consistent and I think that’s the challenge for KG going forward.
“At the moment he is one of the main wicket takers in red ball cricket but playing on flatter grounds may be the challenge for him.”
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The Proteas bowlers were always going to have an uphill task when SA fell for 189 in the early innings of the first day.
That meek display of batting provided a test for Australia, who then batted with requisite patience and measured aggression.
David Warner (200) and Alex Carey (111) ensured that the Proteas can only play for a draw or ensure that Australia at least bats again.
The 386-run lead the Proteas gave up is higher than any team’s total they’ve managed this year and will require them to top 200 for the first time in eight innings.
However, Langeveldt chose to focus on pitcher inconsistency on a surface hitters couldn’t take full advantage of.
“It’s a red flag because we always pride ourselves on throwing 18 straight good balls. That’s one of our KPIs and we haven’t hit it,” Langeveldt said.
“It’s a red flag, and we need to improve that. There were periods where we didn’t play well as a unit, and the consistency wasn’t always there.
“It’s not something I’m worried about, but it’s something we definitely need to address.”
