South African speedster Kagiso Rabada etched his name further into cricket history by surpassing the legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis during a match against West Indies in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Kagiso Rabada Breaks Big Record
Rabada delivered a standout performance with the ball, claiming three wickets for 56 runs in his 18 overs.
Despite challenging pitch conditions that offered little assistance to fast bowlers, Rabada persisted with a well-defined bowling plan. He proved to be a thorn in the side of West Indies batters, ultimately securing crucial wickets including that of Kavem Hodge and contributing to the dismissal of the tailenders, Gudakesh Motie and Kemar Roach.
Rabada Surpasses Kallis
Kagiso Rabada's impressive performance against West Indies yielded more than just wickets. When he dismissed Gudakesh Motie, he achieved a significant milestone in his Test career. This wicket marked Rabada's 293rd Test scalp, surpassing the legendary Jacques Kallis' tally of 292 and placing him as South Africa's sixth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.
Remarkably, Rabada reached this achievement in just his 63rd Test match. As the spearhead of South Africa's bowling attack, the 29-year-old has established himself as a premier wicket-taker across all formats.
Jacques Kallis, considered one of the greatest all-rounders of all time, represented South Africa in 166 Test matches. With a commendable average of 32.65, he claimed 292 wickets and five five-wicket hauls during his illustrious career.
Jacques Kallis' Dominance
Beyond his exceptional bowling abilities, Jacques Kallis was an equally formidable batsman. He holds the record for the most runs scored by a South African cricketer in Test matches, amassing over 13,000 runs. His dominance extended to the One Day International format as well, where he stands as South Africa's leading run-scorer.
Dale Steyn reigns supreme as South Africa's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, capturing 439 wickets in 93 matches at an impressive average of 22.95. Following closely behind is Shaun Pollock with 421 wickets from 108 Tests, averaging 23.11.
Makhaya Ntini occupies the third spot on this prestigious list, claiming 390 wickets in 101 Tests with an average of 28.82. Next in line is Allan Donald, who secured 330 wickets in 72 Tests at an average of 22.25. Rounding out the top five is Steyn's long-time new-ball partner, who amassed 309 wickets in 86 Tests, averaging 27.66.
South Africa Dominate in first Test
South Africa tightened their grip on the Test match with a dominant bowling performance. Kagiso Rabada's three-wicket haul and a tireless spell from left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj proved too much for West Indies, who were bundled out for a meager 233 runs in their first innings. This gave South Africa a substantial 124-run lead. The Proteas made a solid start to their second innings, reaching 30 without loss at stumps on Day 4. However, with rain playing a significant role throughout the match, and only one day remaining, forcing a result will be a challenging task. To increase their chances of securing World Test Championship points, South Africa will likely aim to accelerate their scoring and declare their innings at an opportune moment.
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