Kagiso Rabada overtakes Brett Lee, Morne Morkel – who will he beat next?

Jonhenry Wilson 01 Nov 2024

Kagiso Rabada could become South Africa's highest wicket-taker in Test cricket

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada overtook India’s Jasprit Bumrah as the International Cricket Council’s number one-ranked Test bowler in late October 2024.

Rabada has reached several milestones in the longest format of the international game this year. He has taken the sixth most Test wickets for South Africa, having recently surpassed countryman Morne Morkel’s tally of 309. Rabada reached the number in 20 fewer Tests than Morkel.

Rabada has also overtaken former Australian fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee among Test cricket’s leading wicket-takers. You can count England pair Derek Underwood and Fred Trueman – and West Indian Lance Gibbs – among those whose Test wicket tallies Rabada has leapfrogged recently.

Aside from the retired, Rabada is also chasing active players such as New Zealand duo Tim Southee and Trent Boult – and Australia‘s Mitchell Starc. Much further up the list is India’s Ravichandran Ashwin. Whether Rabada can eventually come close to Ashwin’s 500-plus Test wicket total remains in the balance.

It’s well worth pondering who, indeed, Rabada will beat among Test cricket’s leading wicket-takers. Not yet 30 years old, averaging in the early 20s with the ball and not as prone to injury as some other fast bowlers, Rabada has several years to bigger and better than many other competitors.

Kagiso Rabada v Allan Donald

Rabada is within fewer than 20 Test wickets of surpassing fellow South African Allan Donald’s tally of 330.

“Rabada is outstanding to watch and I just think his thirst for success drives his consistency. Anyone who gets success, doesn’t matter what sport he plays, is judged by consistency,” Donald told PTI.

Kagiso Rabada v Waqar Younis

Pakistan’s Younis almost certainly bowled faster than Rabada in conducive conditions – and garnered 373 wickets in 87 Tests. Younis held the record for the quickest to 300 Test wickets before Rabada clinched the record in 785 deliveries fewer.

Kagiso Rabada vs Dale Steyn

Steyn has the most Test wickets for South Africa – and 10th most overall. His 439 came via 93 matches – and included 26 five-wicket innings hauls. Rabada will have to pass fellow South Africans Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock before realistically challenging Steyn.

In conclusion, keep in mind that more than a third of Rabada’s Test wickets have come against arch rivals England and Australia. The man’s cricketing temperament is evidently fashioned for the big occasion.

Kagiso Rabada FAQs

When was Kagiso Rabada’s best year in Test cricket?

Rabada took 57 wickets in 11 Tests in 2017. He followed that with 52 in 10 in 2018. The two years included three 10-wicket Test match hauls for Rabada.

Which teams has Kagiso Rabada played for?

Besides South Africa in Test, ODI and T20I cricket, Rabada has also played for MI Cape Town in the SA20, MI New York in Major League Cricket in the United States of America – and the Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League.

Can Kagiso Rabada swing the ball?

“Skill is one thing, but Kagiso has an got amazing ability to run the ball away. He has got some amazing wickets with stunning balls,” said former Proteas fast bowler Allan Donald.

Where did Kagiso Rabada grow up?

Rabada was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He has Venda and Tswana ancestry. Rabada plays for the Lions in Gauteng.