‘Every game I will play from now…’ Kagiso Rabada reveals after fifer against Australia in WTC finals post dope ban

South African pacer Kagiso Rabada has revealed that he intends to put the drug ban behind him and enjoy his time with the national side. The 30-year-old picked a fifer in the first innings of the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s. Rabada bowled 15.4 overs and took five wickets for 51 runs along with five maidens. 

Speaking at the end of the day’s play, Rabada said, “Yeah, obviously it wasn't my best moment, as I've alluded to. Now, life moves on. I think every game that I play for South Africa, I try to do my best. I didn't try to give any more or any less effort than I usually do in all the games that I play for South Africa. So that's all I tried to do today."

Temba Bavuma said, “It’s definitely a motivation. It's been a couple of weeks now since everything has unfolded. He had a conversation with the team and put himself on the spot for further questioning from any of the players. As far as we are concerned, that's kind of behind us; we really come here with the focus of what we need to do."

Ricky Ponting praises Beau Webster

The Australian side were all out for 212 runs after Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bowl first. Steve Smith scored an important 66, which came off 112 balls with 10 hits to the fence. Beau Webster was the best player for his side, scoring 72 off 92 balls with 11 fours. 

Addressing the media at the end of the day, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting  said “You take those 70-odd runs out, that scorecard looks a whole lot different." I think that says a lot about how comfortable he is in his own game right now and even the comfort he has of being in the Australian middle order."

The former Aussie skipper also said, “The thing I liked about that today was, although Australia were in a little bit of trouble, wickets were falling. Webster was able to go out there and maintain his own natural style of play and play the way that he wanted to play and try and be aggressive and try and put some pressure back on the South African bowlers.”