"Everyone plays for milestones" - Kagiso Rabada after completing 300 wickets on Day 1 of BAN vs SA 2024 1st Test
South Africa's pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada has opened up on crossing the 300-wicket milestone on Day 1 of the opening Test against South Africa. The right-arm speedster believes everyone plays for milestones and acknowledged feeling relieved after passing the landmark.
Rabada joined Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Allan Donald, and Morne Morkel as the South African bowlers to take 300 Test scalps. The 29-year-old got there in the 14th over of the innings by dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim. He also consumed the least number of balls (11817) to reach there.
Speaking at a post-day press conference, Rabada remarked that all his focus when he made it to the field was how South Africa will win the Test after losing the toss. He also suggested that a large part of credit for his 300 wickets goes to his teammates.
As quoted by ESPN Cricinfo, he stated:
"When I came on to bowl this morning, I wasn't really thinking about that final wicket. I was more focused on how we were going to win this Test, especially after losing the toss and bowling first. But when it happened, it was just a relief. Everyone plays for milestones, but it was a relief.
"The way my teammates support me, we support each other, and that felt really good. It's a special moment. As for the record, I didn't know about it, but I guess it motivates me to do even better."
Along with Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj, the Johannesburg-born cricketer took three wickets as the tourists skittled Bangladesh out for 106.
"I'd say it's leaning towards the bowlers" - Kagiso Rabada on the Dhaka surface
With the Proteas also losing six wickets to make it 16 for the day, the right-arm paceman called for a fair contest between the bat and the ball. He said:
"I think there needs to be a balance in Test cricket. You want a fair contest between bat and ball. That's the type of wicket you want. You could argue that a bowling unit hasn't bowled well or a batting unit hasn't performed, and that's the balance you're always trying to weigh. But with 16 wickets on Day 1, I'd say it's leaning towards the bowlers."
By Day 1 at Stumps, South Africa held a lead of 34, but only have four wickets left in the shed.