Everyone plays for milestones, but it was a relief: Rabada on 300 Test wickets

Kagiso Rabada was really surprised with how the Dhaka surface played out on day one of the Bangladesh-South Africa first Test. The two South African seamers - Rabada and Wiaan Mulder - wreaked havoc in the first session after Bangladesh decided to bat first on October 21 (Monday). Both pacers claimed three wickets each as the hosts were bowled out for just 106.

"We thought it was going to turn, and not really nip, but with the new ball, there was a bit of movement. Not really much swing, but off the wicket, there was quite a bit of seam movement,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Rabada as saying.

"To be fair, that's actually how it played in the nets. Generally, what you get in the nets is what you'll get similarly in the middle. It's turning for the spinners and seaming for the seamers too. We found that quite surprising. We don't prepare the pitches, but that's what was prepared, and it's as simple as that."

In the process, Rabada also got his 300th Test wicket. The right-armer reached the landmark in 11,817 deliveries, becoming the fastest-ever bowler to reach the milestone. It made him the third-quickest South African to reach the milestone in terms of matches, only behind Dale Styen and Allan Donald, who reached there in 61 and 63 matches, respectively. 

When it comes to balls taken to get to the landmark, Rabada rules the roost, with Pakistan’s Waqar Younis (12,602) the closest to him. Steyn (12,622), Donald (13,690) and Malcolm Marshall (13,755) complete the list of fastest to the landmark in terms of balls. Interestingly, Rabada has the best strike rate for any bowler to have picked up 300 Test wickets. He strikes at 39.2, quicker than Steyn (42.3) and Younis (43.4). 

"When I came on to bowl this morning, I wasn't really thinking about that final wicket. I was more focused on how we were going to win this Test, especially after losing the toss and bowling first,” said Rabada.  

“But when it happened, it was just a relief. Everyone plays for milestones, but it was a relief. The way my team-mates support me, we support each other, and that felt really good. It's a special moment. As for the record, I didn't know about it, but I guess it motivates me to do even better."

Talking about Mulder, who took the first three wickets, Rabada said: "He bowled unbelievably. He's looked good ever since our camp back in South Africa. Credit to him - he's worked really hard, and it shows. He didn't really have to adjust much because he's been bowling like this since the camp. I'm not surprised by the reward he got this morning. He was phenomenal, and I'm really happy for him."

In reply, the Proteas ended the day on 140/6, leading by only 34 runs. When asked if such surfaces are good for Test cricket, Rabada said: "I think there needs to be a balance in Test cricket. You want a fair contest between bat and ball. That's the type of wicket you want. You could argue that a bowling unit hasn't bowled well or a batting unit hasn't performed, and that's the balance you're always trying to weigh.

"But with 16 wickets on day one, I'd say it's leaning towards the bowlers. Test cricket should offer a fair contest between bat and ball, where bowlers get something if they bowl well, and batters can score if they apply themselves."

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