Proteas pace attack open up ‘old scars’

Joel Gould | December 19, 2022

South Africa head to Melbourne for the second Test with Australia hoping ferocious final spells by speed demons Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje have opened up old mental scars in the heads of the hosts batters.

Australia chased down 34 runs in the second innings to win the first Test at the Gabba by six wickets but not before Rabada (4-13) rocked the top order and Nortje sent down a series of bouncers that went soaring over the wicketkeeper’s head – a warning shot for when the two sides meet on Boxing Day.

“It was to try and see if we could open some old scars,” Proteas captain Dean Elgar said.

“Purely to bring in high intensity and maybe get them three or four down, and maybe those batters going onto Melbourne maybe with a little bit less confidence.”

Rabada’s breakthroughs were also a confidence boost for the rest of the attack.

“When he puts his hand up like that it is difficult not to follow that,” Elgar said.

“I think you will find that is what got Nortje fired up as well and he was starting to crank it up even more. They are nice things to have within our ranks.”

Rabada dismissed David Warner cheaply for the second time in the match to continue his good form against him in Tests. The paceman had success against Australia and Warner in 2018 in South Africa when he dismissed him four times.

“It’s not just him … all of them,” Elgar said.

“We are always trying to find a way to have an edge over the opposition and if this was a way of getting into their mind further, then brilliant. I know a guy like KG is probably the most feared bowler that we have purely because of his reputation and record.

“If he has got that confidence running into the next (Test) then that is brilliant for us.”