Rabada sets up South Africa win

By AFP

March 13, 2018

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa: Kagiso Rabada put aside his disciplinary concerns to set up a series-levelling win for South Africa on the fourth day of the second Test against Australia at St George’s Park on Monday.

South Africa won by six wickets after Rabada’s fast bowling ensured they needed to chase a modest 101 runs for victory.The fast bowler, who faces a ban from the remaining two Tests of the series, took six for 54 as Australia were bowled out for 239 in their second innings.

South Africa lost four wickets before Theunis de Bruyn hit the winning runs.AB de Villiers, whose 126 not out enabled South Africa to lead by 139 runs on the first innings, hit a quick 28 off 26 balls before he was caught at short leg off Nathan Lyon with 20 runs still needed.

Rabada took the first three of the five Australian wickets that fell for the addition of 59 runs on Monday. He had match figures of 11 for 150 — the fourth time in his 28-Test career that he had ten or more wickets in a match.

There was a shadow hanging over the 22-year-old fast bowler, however.He attended a disciplinary meeting convened by match referee Jeff Crowe on Sunday night after being charged with a level two offence following an incident in which his shoulder made contact with Australian captain Steve Smith on the first day.

The verdict was expected to be announced after the match. If found guilty Rabada will face a two-Test ban because of previous offences on his record.Rabada was hit with a further charge on Monday, a level one offence, following a send-off of David Warner on Sunday.Rabada struck in the first over of the morning when he bowled Mitchell Marsh for 45 with a ball which swung in sharply.

Australia won toss

Australia 1st Innings 243 all-out (D Warner 63; K Rabada 5-96)

South Africa 1st Innings 382 all-out (De Villiers* 126; P Cummins 3-79)

Australia 2nd Innings 239 all-out (U Khawaja 75; K Rabada 6-54)

South Africa 2nd Innings

A K Markram c Smith b Hazlewood 21

D Elgar c & b Lyon 5

H M Amla c Paine b Cummins 27

A B de Villiers c Bancroft b Lyon 28

*F du Plessis not out 2

T B de Bruyn not out 15

Extras (b 4) 4