South Africa v Australia: Fate of series swings on Kagiso Rabada appeal verdict

THE fate of the Cape Town Test, and the South Africa-Australia series as a whole, hangs on the result of fearsome paceman Kagiso Rabada’s disciplinary appeal says IAN CHAPPELL.

South Africa’s hopes rely on key bowler Kagiso Rabada getting off. Picture: AP

• South Africa try to get Kagiso Rabada off two-match ban
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THE big unknown for the Cape Town Test is Kagiso Rabada; if his appeal delays his suspension and he plays, then South Africa start favourites.

However, if his two-Test suspension stands, then Australia will be mighty relieved he’s not playing and go into the match favoured to win.

One of the big differences his non-appearance would make is the effect on Australian captain Steve Smith.

Rabada’s likely replacement, Morne Morkel, suits Smith’s pattern of play as his natural angle into right-hand batsmen is perfectly suited to the Australian captain’s specialty — on-side scoring shots.

South Africa’s hopes rely on key bowler Kagiso Rabada getting off. Picture: AP

Because he bowls from wide on the crease, Morkel is also far less likely to trap Smith lbw, his mode of dismissal to Rabada in the second Test.

Rabada’s presence has also had a sobering effect on Australia’s lower order runscoring. The Australian pace bowlers are aware that Rapid Rabada can extract retribution if they start bouncing the Protea’s tailenders and consequently they’ve been more tentative than usual when batting.

No Australian batsman has scored a century so far in the series and in part this is down to Rabada. He’s the sort of bowler who can dismiss a batsman no matter how well he’s entrenched; he also improves the bowler at the other end and has that great ability to take wickets in clumps when he gets on a roll.

Kagiso Rabada has tormented the Australian batsmen. Picture: AFP

All these traits have combined to keep Australia’s scoring in check and South Africa desperately need this to continue since their batting — A B de Villiers apart — is fragile.

Much of the South African footwork is flawed and this leaves the batsmen vulnerable to both pace and Nathan Lyon’s probing spin. If Australia can find a way to curb de Villiers’ scoring (no easy task) then South Africa are in trouble.

With this in mind the long break following the Second Test would be a relief to the Australian fast bowlers, as they had a heavy workload in Port Elizabeth.

A refreshed Australian attack will have more chance of repeating their Durban performance where they dismissed South Africa cheaply in the first innings to set up a commanding victory.

Of the Australian batsman Usman Khawaja has the most to worry about. Picture: AFP

The non-appearance of Rabada would also be a relief to Australia’s two troubled batsmen, Cameron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja.

While both have their flaws Bancroft has the advantage of rarely being dismissed early, which is an encouraging trait for an opener.

Khawaja looks a million dollars when the bowling is on his pads and more like a crumpled $5 bill when, as the South Africans have done, they concentrate around off stump.

His plodding footwork is not only a problem when facing spin but also if the fast bowlers attack off stump.

Despite the struggles of the Australian batsmen it was South Africa’s ability to keep Smith’s runscoring to a minimum in the Second Test that was crucial.

Steve Smith has the most to gain if Rabada’s ban stands. Picture: AFP

Hence one of the most likely side effects of a ban on Rabada would be an outbreak of runscoring from the Australian captain.

I don’t have a problem with Rabada’s suspension — apart from it devaluing the series — as there is far too much being said on the field and too often bowlers harass the dismissed batsmen. This has to be stopped.

If Rabada’s suspension leads to tougher action from umpires and referees and the eventual curtailing of inane on-field chatter and batsmen receiving a parting send-off, then it will have been a worthwhile punishment.

If this isn’t the result then it’ll be a travesty, because Rabada is far from the only guilty party.

Originally published as South Africa v Australia: Fate of series swings on Kagiso Rabada appeal verdict