‘Fantastic’ Kagiso Rabada excites former Proteas legend

South Africa great Barry Richards believes the rise of Kagiso Rabada has “lessened the pain” of Dale Steyn’s absence ahead of a Test series in England.

Steyn, perhaps the best fast bowler of his generation, has been ruled out of the four-Test campaign with a longstanding shoulder problem.

Also read: AB de Villiers’ Proteas future clarified by August

But Rabada has helped fill the gap, the 22-year-old quick taking 71 wickets in 17 Tests at an impressively low average of 23.69 since making his debut against India at Mohali in November 2015.

“I think  a lot of people were really wobbly about Steyn and the injuries he’s had, the age group, he’s in,” said Richards, the outstanding opening batsman of the early 1970s, in London on Thursday.

“Then Rabada popped out of the woodwork and he’s been absolutely fantastic. He bowls at a good pace, nice, easy action. If conditions are right, he’ll swing it way which is a real asset for a fast bowler.

“From a South African point of view, he’s been fantastic for us and really lessened the pain of Dale Steyn not being in the set-up.

“But I think our fast-bowling stocks are pretty good. Chris Morris as an all-rounder, and then Morne Morkel – he always looks like he should do well but he always bowls that yard too short for me.”

Meanwhile, Richards believes AB de Villiers should give up the one-day captaincy.

“The De Villiers thing has escalated,” he said Richards.

“It’s become a bigger issue than it should have been. It should have been managed a lot better a long time ago. Faf du Plessis has done a very good job and I think he can do a good job in all three formats. If AB wants to carry on playing he should give away the captaincy and concentrate on his batting.

“He’s a wonderful player but in the last few months I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him.”

For more sport your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.