Rabada set to face Australia at site of 2018 Smith clash
Fast bowler Rabada is fit to return from his hamstring injury for the second Test at St George's Park, where he and Steve Smith clashed in 2018.
South African speedster Kagiso Rabada has been cleared to play in the second Test at St George's Park, his first match since May. He's returning to the ground where he collided with Australia's Steve Smith in 2018, a clash that left him initially banned for two Tests before the punishment was downgraded to a fine.
Smith and Australia were unhappy about the handling of the incident, but Rabada told local media ahead of Sunday's Test there is no bad blood. "There's no hate off the field," said the 31-year-old.
"It's just the emotion of the game. It's about playing within the rules."
Rabada has faced Australia 23 times since that clash without further incident. At the same ground in 2018, he took 11 wickets in a single match and was named man of the series.
South Africa is fighting to stay alive in the series after losing the first Test by 214 runs.
- St George's Park
- Ground
- 23 times
- Matches since clash
- 214 runs
- Series loss
- Two Tests
- Original ban
Why it mattersRabada is a match-changer returning at a critical moment in the series when South Africa has already fallen behind, and he brings genuine needle to a storied rivalry.
AustraliaAustralia faces its toughest bowling attack when Rabada returns, reshaping the second Test with higher stakes for the tourists trying to build a winning margin.
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