Kagiso Rabada etched his name in the Lord's honors board for the second time, achieving a remarkable feat in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia by taking 5 wickets for 51 runs. Despite this, the South African pace spearhead wasn't entirely satisfied, and his discontent stemmed from a missed review opportunity and the subsequent pressure it put on his team.
Rabada's performance was undeniably impressive. He dismantled the Australian batting lineup, helping to dismiss them for 212. His victims included key players, and his efforts saw him surpass Allan Donald to become South Africa's fourth-highest Test wicket-taker, a milestone he acknowledged as special. He now holds 332 wickets in 71 Tests, surpassing Donald's 330 in 72 matches. Rabada's achievement also marked only the second time a bowler has taken a five-wicket haul in a WTC final, following Kyle Jamieson's feat for New Zealand in 2021. Adding to the significance, he joined Jacques Kallis as the only other South African to achieve this in a major ICC final.
However, Rabada's satisfaction was tempered by a crucial moment early in Australia's innings. When Beau Webster was on eight, Rabada struck him on the pad, prompting an LBW appeal. Umpire Richard Illingworth turned it down, and South Africa opted not to review. Replays later confirmed the ball would have hit middle stump, a decision that could have significantly altered the course of the match.
"[(Twelfth man) Corbin Bosch came down to fine leg and said it was out and I was like, 'Oh no!']," Rabada told reporters. "It's a bit annoying." Steve Smith, observing from the non-striker's end, echoed the sentiment, saying, "It looked pretty good to me from the other end." Webster went on to score 72, becoming Australia's top scorer and extending their innings, a factor that clearly frustrated Rabada.
Speaking after the day's play, Rabada reflected on the missed opportunity. "Obviously that wasn't my best moment, as I've alluded to. Now, life moves on," he said, acknowledging the error but emphasizing the need to move forward. He added, "I think every game that I play for South Africa, I try to do my best. So I didn't try to give any more or any less effort than I usually do in all the games that I play for South Africa. So that's all I tried to do today."
Adding to the pressure, South Africa's top order faltered in response to Australia's score, slumping to 43 for 4 at the close of play. This meant Rabada's efforts with the ball, while exceptional, were not fully capitalized on, leaving the team in a precarious position. Despite the setback, Rabada remained focused on the task ahead. "Right now, at 43 for 4, it is not the start we were looking for, but there's still a lot of cricket to be played in this Test match. So (we are) just going to keep going for it," he stated.
Rabada's journey to the WTC final has been eventful. He recently served a one-month suspension for recreational drug use, a period he described as not his "best moment." Addressing the issue, he said, "The biggest thing I took away from it is having gratitude for playing the game that we love. I'm just glad to be playing again." He also acknowledged the support he received from the team and Cricket South Africa during this time.
Despite the challenges and the lingering frustration over the missed review, Rabada's performance in the WTC final showcased his world-class talent and underscored his importance to the South African team. While not completely satisfied, his determination to contribute to the team's success remains unwavering as the match progresses.
