Kagiso Rabada will thrive under intense pressure in crucial showdown against Australia, says Malibongwe Maketa
WELCOME PRESSURE Kagiso Rabada is more than capable of thriving under pressure in WTC final against Australia, says former Proteas coach Malibongwe Maketa. Picture credit: Michael Sherman/IOL
Image: Michael Sherman/IOL
Former Proteas assistant coach Malibongwe Maketa says Australia should provoke SA fast bowler Kagiso Rabada at their own peril, in the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Rabada was at the centre of a controversy the last couple months, after he announced at the end of April he had tested positive for a banned recreational drug.
The drug was later confirmed to be cocaine. By the time Rabada made the announcement he had just about completed his one-month ban and swiftly returned to action for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Now, as Rabada turns his attention to the WTC final starting on June 11 at Lord’s, in London, he will no doubt be one of the main targets for the Aussies to sledge.
Rabada’s Resilience Against Australia: Thriving Under Pressure
"With their history, it brings in a different pressure in terms of facing Australia and their record precedes them, so you know for a fact that it's going to be relentless pressure,” Maketa told SportsBoom.co.za.
“Not only from the bowling, but also from the body language, from the fielders, and when you're in Australia, the pressure comes even from the public. It is intimidating. You feel a different energy when you're about to play them.”
The 30-year-old Rabada is now a seasoned campaigner in the Proteas team, and has come up against the fiery Aussies on a number of occasions in the longest format of the game. Maketa therefore believes that Rabada will be more than up to the task.
"I don't think he identifies with the word pressure in the sense that he actually goes towards the fact that it's tough, he thrives under pressure. I think the Australians have learned now. I don't think the current crop of players would say too much to KG because they know what they would bring out in him.
"The public, yes, might say something here and there but I think with what has transpired in the past, they would definitely stay far away from KG in terms of getting him to a point where he has to say stuff like, 'you guys, I'll show you who I am'. I think that would be their approach."