Rabada rues missed review despite five-wicket haul in WTC final

Kagiso Rabada was left to reflect on what might have been, despite claiming five wickets on the opening day of the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, where bowlers held the upper hand.

The South African pacer struck Beau Webster on the pad when the Australian was on just eight runs. However, umpire Richard Illingworth rejected the lbw appeal, and South Africa opted against a review. Replays later revealed the delivery would have hit middle stump.

Webster went on to score a crucial 72, helping Australia post 212 all out. In reply, South Africa stumbled to 43-4 at stumps, trailing by 169 runs.

Rabada finished with figures of 5-51, moving ahead of Allan Donald to become South Africa’s fourth-highest wicket-taker. “Corbin Bosch came down to fine leg and said it was out and I was like, ‘Oh no!’,” Rabada said. “It’s a bit annoying.”Australia's Steve Smith, watching from the non-striker's end, was surprised by the lack of a review.

"It looked pretty good to me from the other end," he said. "Someone said they saw Rabada shape to say he had hit it, but it didn't look like that from my view."

Nevertheless, the 30-year-old Rabada, who has now taken 332 Test wickets compared to retired paceman Donald's 330, gave an inspired performance in his first international match since serving a one-month suspension for recreational drug use.

"It wasn't my best moment but life goes on," Rabada said of the ban.

Rabada added advice from former England fast bowler Stuart Broad had helped South Africa.

"He gave us a few pointers — field placings, conditions, cloud cover."

'Good spot'

Asked how he felt to be behind only Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini on South Africa's all-time list of leading Test bowlers, Rabada said: "It's honestly very simple — all that you do is try to improve and win games for South Africa.

"To be on that list of bowlers is special. As a player growing up and playing for South Africa I have been inspired by those have come before and what they have done on the big stage."

But with Australia left-arm quick Mitchell Starc taking 2-10 in seven overs, the reigning champions were in a strong position at the close.

"I think we're in a good spot," said star batsman Smith, who made 66 and helped Webster add 79 for the fifth wicket following the all-rounder´s shaky start.

"He did a terrific job," said Smith of Webster. "Playing in England suits him, the way he scores his runs square of the wicket when it is swinging around. He gets on top of the bounce, being tall, and he defends really well."