Rabada greatness: Three things we learned from the 1st Test between England and South Africa

20.08.2022 - 18:31 news24.com

South Africa overwhelmed England by an innings and 12-runs inside three days in the first Test at Lord's.Friday's victory meant the Proteas inflicted England's first defeat under a new leadership duo of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum following four successive wins.Below AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from the opening match of a three-Test series.READ | Anrich Nortje grateful for skipper Elgar's 'honesty': 'Dean is quite straight forward'Rabada on the road to greatnessSouth Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took a superb 5-62 as England slumped to 165 all out in their first inningsHis impressive return meant the 27-year-old became the first South African to take five wickets in a Test innings at Lord's since Vernon Philander in 2012.It was a classic display by a new-ball bowler, with Rabada removing both openers before polishing off the tail."He's an absolute machine when it comes to rising to the occasion for big matches," said South Africa captain Dean Elgar of Rabada.Since Rabada's Test debut, against India at Mohali in November 2015, he has taken more Test wickets -- 250 in 53 matches at an exceptionally low average of 22.1 -- than any other fast bowler in the game.

The most Test wickets taken by any paceman is James Anderson's 658 from 173 matches, with the 40-year-old England great still going strong.

But Rabada's chances of getting near that mark have not been helped by the International Cricket Council's recently published Future Tours Programme, with the Proteas scheduled to play just 28 Tests from 2023-2027.Crawley conundrumEngland opener Zak Crawley's miserable run of low scores continued as he was dismissed for nine and 13 at Lord's.

cricket Proteas England Things Test James Anderson Zak Crawley Kagiso Rabada Brendon Maccullum South Africa India

England vs South Africa, 3rd Test, Day 1 Live Score Updates: The toss for the third Test between England and South Africa has been pushed back by 30 minutes at the Oval, London.With the series level at 1-1, both England and South Africa will look to win the series decider at the Oval, London. Harry Brook has replaced injured Jonny Bairstow for the third Test, and it would be interesting to see how England approaches this contest. The first Test was won by South Africa inside three days, but England bounced back strongly in the second Test and they also won it inside three days with solid performances from Ben Stokes and Ben Foakes. (LIVE SCORECARD)

Runs at a premium in England-South Africa Test decider

South Africa's Keegan Petersen has no doubt first-innings runs hold the key to the outcome of the third and deciding Test against England at The Oval starting Thursday.

England vs South Africa, 2nd Test, Day 3 Live Score Updates: South Africa Look To Offer Resistance vs England

England vs South Africa, 2nd Test, Day 3 Live Score Updates: Openers Dean Elgar and Sarel Erwee have resumed the South African innings on Day 3 of the ongoing second Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. The duo look to offer resistance and stay at the crease for a long haul. On Friday, Ben Stokes had hit his first century since being appointed England's full-time captain and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes also reached three figures as the hosts established a commanding lead over South Africa in the second Test in Manchester. Foakes hit an unbeaten 113, after Stokes' 103-run knock as England took a first innings lead of 264 runs against South Africa in the game. After bundling out the visitors for a paltry of 151, England declared their innings at 415 for 9. (LIVE SCORECARD)

England vs South Africa, 2nd Test, Day 2 Live Score Updates: Jonny Bairstow, Zak Crawley Look To Help England Gain Healthy Lead

England vs South Africa, 2nd Test, Day 2 Live Score Updates: Jonny Bairstow and Zak Crawley will look to help England gain a healthy lead on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test against South Africa at Old Trafford. England had the upper hand over South Africa on the opening day after bundling out the visitors on 151. England then ended Day 1 at 111/3, trailing the Proteas by just 40 runs at stumps. Jonny Bairstow and Zak Crawley will resume play on Day 2 on scores of 38 not out and 17 not out, respectively. Earlier, James Anderson and Stuart Broad scalped three dismissals each as England rattled the Proteas, who opted to bat first. (LIVE SCORECARD)