Rabada shines as Proteas face challenge

Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen were at the crease when the Proteas unchoked at Centurion in December last year to qualify for a first-ever ICC World Test Championship final.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

Two big fast fast bowlers embraced passionately in the middle of the wicket after Jansen delightfully steered the winning runs past point.

Jansen hauled out the big bear hug on Rabada again at Lord's on a pulsating opening day of the WTC Final on Wednesday. Only this time it was to celebrate Rabada's five-wicket haul and second at The Home of Cricket.

But much has happened in between these two fateful days. Rabada, of course, tested positive for a banned substance and was instructed to appear before his comrades to apologise for his actions.

It would be fair to say that the redemption is complete now. Coach Shukri Conrad stated at the time: "All I'm interested in now is KG producing performances that we know he's capable of."

Rabada certainly repaid Conrad's trust with a five-star performance that sent Australia carting for 212.

Bristling in from the Nursery End, coupling aggression with accuracy, it made for utterly compelling viewing. And aided by some fabulous catching behind the wicket Rabada finished with 5/51 - etching his name onto the Lord's Honours Board yet again.

Jansen (3/49) played his supporting role to perfection, and so did the spin of Keshav Maharaj (1/19) and Aiden Markram that maintained the pressure on the Aussies despite a mid-afternoon fightback from Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72).

The only drawback for the Proteas being the indifferent form of surprise selection Lungi Ngidi, who looked every bit the rusty bowler that has only played two Tests in this two-year WTC cycle leading up to the showpiece.