Published: Jul 11, 2017, 10:19 AM (IST)
Edited: Jul 11, 2017, 12:48 PM (IST)
South Africa were jolted after not only losing the first Test by 211 runs but also the ban on their key bowler Kagiso Rabada for the second Test. When Rabada dismissed Ben Stokes, he used an abusive word and that prompted ICC to impose ban on the bowler who already had 3 demerits points to his name. Rabada was disappointed on learning about his ban and also apologised to the team management. Where Michael Vaughan and Graeme Smith found the ban too harsh, skipper Faf du Plessis has also come in support of Rabada. Du Plessis, who was rejoicing the birth of his first child, is back to England ahead of the second Test. Full Cricket Scorecard: England vs South Africa, 2nd Test at Trent Bridge
Du Plessis already has three demerits points after his mint lolly incident after the second Test at Hobart against Australia in November. Du Plessis feels Rabada does not require toning down his aggression and urged him to remain aggressive. “I would never say to KG change the way that you are. It’s important that he plays the way that he plays the game. Every guy within cricket needs your natural instinct and personality to come out because that creates the best you,” du Plessis told ESPNcricinfo.
On knowing about Rabada’s apology to the team, du Plessis did not expect Rabada to do that anymore. “I would never expect him to apologise to the team. For me that’s showing what you’re made of. He is showing that he wants to do desperately well for his country,” said the skipper.
Du Plessis also explained the reason behind Rabada’s aggression on field. “I don’t think it was anything to do with Ben. I think it was a little bit of frustration from KG. He didn’t have the rhythm that he wanted to and it was just frustration coming through. I have played with Ben and I can tell you he is just as fiery and that’s what makes him so competitive and so skillful. I called him ‘The Dragon’ in the IPL because he breathes fire when he gets angry. That’s what I say about KG. Not for one second must he lose that,” he added.
Du Plessis agreed with Dean Elgar’s views that Rabada’s ban is a loss for Test cricket. “It’s a big disappointment for us not having him. It’s a shame. He is a real big part of this team. In big Test series like this you want to see your big Test players compete against each other,” he concluded.
Du Plessis is hopeful that on return of Rabada in the third Test, the pacer will pick up from where he left at Lord’s.
