Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is nine wickets away from joining the elite 300 wickets club and he could do it in the West Indies. The Proteas’ Test side are gearing up to face the West Indies in two-Test series in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.
The right-arm fast bowler has been the leader of the South African attack since the retirement of veteran players such as Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel.
Rabada has taken 291 Test wickets at an average of 22.1 in 62 matches and could reach the 300 wicket milestone against the the Windies.
The 29-year-old has admitted that reaching the 300-wicket milestone would be a special achievement for him. The tall imposing bowler however, added he was mostly focused on ensuring that he does his best for the team.
“It will be such a special landmark but I’m not focused on that. It will just be a by-product. I’m just focused on making sure that I’m there for the team and that I find a way to put in a performance.
“Putting in a performance ultimately means that the team is moving in the right direction and that I’m doing my part," Rabada told ESPNCricinfo.
As Rabada looks set to achieve the 300 wickets milestone, IOL Sport, takes a look at the other great South African fast bowlers who achieved the incredible milestone.
Dale Steyn
Widely regarded as one of the greatest South African fast bowlers of all time, Steyn is currently the highest wicket-taker in test cricket for South Africa.
The “The Steyn remover” as he is affectionately known retired from the longer format of the game having amassed a total of 439 wickets in 93 matches.
Shaun Pollock
The South African cricket great retired from the game having accumulated a combined total of 421 wickets and had been the leading wicket-taker for South Africa in Tests.
Before his record was surpassed by Dale Steyn back in 2018.
Makhaya Ntini
The first black player to play for the South African national cricket team, the legendary Makhaya Ntini managed to take an impressive 390 wickets at an average of 28.8 in 101 matches for the Proteas during his storied career.
Ntini retired in 2011 and in the process left an indelible mark in South African sports.
Allan Donald
Allan Donald retired from the game having taken 330 wickets at an average of 22.2 in 62 matches for South Africa.
Since his retirement Donald has ventured into coaching, serving teams like the Bangladesh cricket team as a fast-bowling coach.
Morne Morkel
The lightning quick bowler has a combined total of 309 wicket at an average of 27.7 in 86 matches for South Africa.
Morkel like Donald has since ventured into coaching since retiring from international cricket.
IOL Sport