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8h ago

Rabada Cleared to Play for Second Test at St George's Park

His availability gives South Africa a proven strike bowler who could alter Australia's batting tactics and shift the contest's balance.

Cricket - 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final - Australia Press Conference - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - June 10, 2025 Australia's Pat Cummins during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File photo
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First-Test hero Matt Renshaw is set to stay at No.5 in Australia's line-up for Gqeberha. (AP PHOTO)
Kagiso Rabada is a danger to Australia's hopes of wrapping up the Test series against South Africa. (AP PHOTO)

Overview

  • The Proteas confirmed on Saturday that Kagiso Rabada has been cleared to play in the second Test at St George's Park after recovering from a hamstring tear.
  • Captain Temba Bavuma indicated South Africa will reshuffle their batting with Matthew Breetzke and uncapped Marques Ackerman likely to be added following the heavy loss in Durban.
  • Both captains will wait until the toss because rain is forecast for the opening days, leaving final XIs undecided until match-day conditions are clearer.
  • Australia expect to keep Matt Renshaw at number five while Cameron Green remains unavailable with an abdominal injury and Josh Inglis is close to fitness after a broken finger.
  • Rabada's strong record versus Australia — 58 Test wickets at 21.39, including nine at Lord's in the 2025 WTC final — raises the stakes for short-term tactics and underlines why squad depth and workload management matter for both teams.