CAPE TOWN – Proteas pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of cricket for up to three months due to a lower back problem, which means that he also won’t participate in the upcoming Indian Premier League.
Proteas team doctor Mohammed Moosajee said in a statement on Thursday that Rabada had picked up the injury during the fourth and final Test against Australia at the Wanderers, which South Africa won by a comprehensive 492-run margin to clinch the series 3-1.
Cricket South Africa said that Rabada had felt “tightness and discomfort” during the match.
“Kagiso has been diagnosed with a lower back stress reaction, which will rule him out of cricket action for up to three months,” Moosajee said on Thursday.
“He will need a month’s break from all physical activity before commencing with a rehabilitation programme to get him ready for the series against Sri Lanka in July.”
The enforced break probably comes at the right time for Rabada, who is the current World No 1 on the ICC bowling rankings.
He had a heavy bowling workload throughout the summer, with the two big encounters against India (Tests and ODIs) and Australia (four Tests).
There was a danger of him not bowling in the Australian second innings at the Wanderers, although he did eventually complete eight overs without taking a wicket as Vernon Philander ran through the visitors with a career-best 6/21.
The 22-year-old Rabada was superb against Australia as he not only successfully appealed his two-Test ban after ‘Shouldergate’ with Steve Smith, but was also named the Man of the Series for taking 23 wickets at an average of 19.26, which made him the leading wicket-taker ahead of Australian paceman Pat Cummins, who claimed 22 scalps.
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