PICS: Life in the fast lane with Kagiso Rabada

Published Sep 4, 2016

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Cricket writer Zaahier Adams caught up with Proteas fast bowler and Nissan brand ambassador Kagiso Rabada at the SA Festival of Motoring at Kyalami where he got to know the young tearaway just a little bit better…

 

 

 

 

Even in your wildest dreams did you imagine things would work out this great for you, and especially this quickly?

I guess you hope things turn out well, but I didn’t think things would turn out this well. Sometimes I’ve surprised even myself with how well things are going.

The 2016 CSA Awards will forever be known as the “KG Awards” after you collected a half-a-dozen prizes. How did you celebrate when you got home and did you take a ‘selfie’ for the personal album with all your trophies?

I actually didn’t stay at home. I stayed at the hotel so I just called my mom and dad, who passed on their congratulations. My phone went ballistic though all night. I didn’t have the opportunity to spread all my trophies on my bed because Altaaf Kazi (CSA Communications Manager) took them from me because of all the media commitments coming up. He probably thought I was going to lose them or something! (laughs)

During the winter you went to play a bit of English County Cricket for Kent. What was that experience like, especially playing with the Duke ball for the first time?

It was amazing to see the different cricket culture over there. The people love their cricket in England, even domestic cricket. County cricket is a big thing over there! I don’t think the standard of cricket is any higher though than we have back home though. It’s pretty similar to our franchise cricket. There are just a few differences in terms of the culture over there … they just do things a little bit differently, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was really good to bowl with the Duke ball. It was nice to get an idea of what the wickets are like too because while I was there the wickets were very flat. I learnt a lot in terms of that.

In only your first full season of Test cricket you were required to lead the Proteas attack in the absence of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander. How did you cope so admirably with the extra responsibility?

Well, to my understanding, and within the camp, I didn’t think I was leading the attack. I think that was more the media who were pushing that perspective. From my side I was just there to do a job. I wasn’t putting any extra pressure on myself to assume that role because like I said earlier, it was more the media who were making a big thing out of it. Obviously we wanted Dale (Steyn) and Vern (Philander) back because they really good bowlers. I think without them maybe we lacked a bit of magic.

They returned for this past series against New Zealand and immediately showed their value at Centurion. Has their presence taken a big weight off your shoulders?

It was magnificent to share a field with them once again. Not that they needed to, but they proved what quality performers they are when fit. It is a real honour to play with those guys because I can learn so much from them. But I do not think there was any more or less pressure on me in that Centurion Test. I still had a job to do and had to go out there and do my job.

Having only played T20 cricket in Australia before, are you excited about the looming prospect of your first Test series Down Under against the Proteas’ arch-rivals and the opportunity of playing a Test at the world famous Waca in Perth?

It will be cool. I remember watching Test cricket in Australia as a kid. The Waca is also meant to be a special place for fast bowlers. I know the pitch is not as fast as it may have been in the past, but there’s plenty of history at that ground. I’ve also heard plenty of stories about what Australian cricket is like, and the people, and the intimidating atmosphere they create in their stadiums. That’s something I’m really looking forward to experiencing first hand. Maybe one day I can tell a youngster my own stories about Australia.

The Proteas will also be playing their first day-night Test with a pink ball during that series in Adelaide. What your thoughts on cricket’s latest innovation?

There is a whole lot of controversy around that day/night Test. I just feel like it’s going to be challenge. Many people don’t like what the pink ball does and doesn’t do. I say, let’s go out there and see what it does, and then I’ll express my views. But I think it’s innovation in the game. The pink ball and day-night Tests are exciting. It brings an extra dimension to the game and hopefully it brings in the crowds. I think it’s a cool thing to try out.

Why did you turn down the opportunity of playing in the Indian Premier League this year?

There were a whole of reasons. I had been playing a lot leading up to the World T20 and then again in the World T20 before the IPL. I wanted to take a little bit of a break. I know I could get loads of cash but I was very tired at the time, so I wanted to spend a bit of time at home a little bit after the World T20 and rather go play county cricket when I was a bit more fresh.

You seem to share a special relationship with your Proteas bowling coach Charl Langeveldt. How has that developed?

I do have a good relationship with “Langes”. He’s quite a chilled guy and I’m quite a chilled guy. But there’s a lot more to it than that. He was a very skilful bowler and you can learn a lot from him. Trust me, he knows almost every trick in the book and there’s a lot to learn from. He’s played at the highest level, he’s done it all.

Arguably the only low point of your promising career thus far was the failure to close out the final over of a World T20 group game against the West Indies in Nagpur that ultimately led to the Proteas exiting the tournament. How did that affect you and who was the first to console you?

I obviously felt disappointed because we wanted to win the tournament and we had to beat the West Indies to keep our destiny in our own hands. Maybe it helps a bit that we lost to the guys who eventually went on to win the tournament, but that’s not actually true. We set ourselves high standards. I think we’ve learnt from that and hopefully next time we can rise to the occasion.

AB, all the players, tried to comfort me because it’s not a nice space to be in. You never want that doubt to creep in. You have to find a way to persevere because there are times when you feel like just “Aargh!”

Shane Warne recently tweeted: “Rabada from South Africa is a quality bowler, he will enjoy bowling in Australia this summer & make the Aussie boys jump around!” What does such praise mean to you?

It obviously means he’s watching! I’ve always viewed Warney as a legend. He was always one my cricket heroes, bowling wise, probably in my top two. He showed such great control, but was also always willing to try things. He was a marvel of the game. No, let me get that right, he was a genius of the game! Everything is there to back that statement up. I don’t really know what to think of what he said about me, but obviously coming from him it means a lot. Now I obviously need to go there and do the business!

Do you ever just spend some time with mates your own age?

I love down time. A lot of my mates are in Cape Town studying there, so I try and catch up with them when I’m down there. I like chilling with them because it just makes me feel ‘normal’ again.

Cricket South Africa has typecast you as their poster-boy for fostering the growth of the sport among all communities. How do you feel about this?

I reckon my performances and dedication have brought thsi on. There are always going to be challenges to deal with and that’s simply one of them. Sometimes you can’t let what is going on around you filter into your head all the time otherwise you will go crazy. I know I am a role model and I have to keep the flag flying high and that’s part of my responsibility.

Who would be the first of your teammates that you would seek out to celebrate a good Test win with - a night out on the town?

Hmm. … Dane Piedt … have to get him involved. Temba’s another one. Quinny, can’t go without Quinny. Who do I have there? Am I missing anybody? Wait, wait, wait … Stiaan van Zyl. Definitely Stiaan van Zyl!

Do you want to break the speed barrier and bowl at 160km/h?

No, not really. It’s not an ambition of mine. I just want to learn a lot of skill. If it happens that I will get quicker that’s great, but it’s not the focus. I just want to learn more skills all the time.

Cape Times

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