Rabada and Smith renew rivalry before Cape Town decider
CAPE TOWN: Quick bowler Kagiso Rabada’s battles with Steve Smith sparked a combustible series the last time Australia played tests in South Africa eight years ago and the pair have resumed their rivalry as the teams head for a decisive contest in Cape Town next week. Rabada returned after a long hamstring injury layoff to help South Africa win by an innings and 31 runs in the second test in…
Quick bowler Kagiso Rabada’s confrontations with Steve Smith ignited a fierce rivalry during the Australia-South Africa test series in South Africa a decade ago. As the two teams gear up for a crucial match in Cape Town next week, the rivalry has rekindled. Rabada returned from a hamstring injury to play a pivotal role in South Africa's win in Gqeberha's second test, earning him four wickets in the second innings, including Smith’s.
Smith, who reached 11,000 test runs, struggled with a neck complaint, scoring just three runs in the second innings. Rabada, who dismissed Smith again in 2018, said the former captain remains a prized wicket against Australia. No animosity exists between the two athletes; rather, it’s all about the heat of competition. Smith, who has been back to Newlands after the Sandpapergate ball-tampering scandal, said he has learned from that experience and is looking forward to the test match.
Written by urgent.news from Business Recorder's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
