This video can not be played Rabada strikes against Australia again with clinical five-for South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has joined an elite Lord's club of two. Famously, any player who takes five wickets or scores a century in a Test match has their name etched on to an honours board in gold lettering. Before the first day of the World Test Championship (WTC) final, only one other Test player in the storied 141-year history of the longer format at Lord's has appeared on the honours board in both the home and away dressing rooms. That quirky mark of cricket trivia belonged to legendary West Indies opener Gordon Greenidge. His knocks of 214 not out and 103 against England in 1984 and 1988 respectively adorn the board in the away dressing room. But less well known is the fact he is also on the home dressing room for the 122 he made for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) against the Rest of the World in 1987. With South Africa allocated the home dressing room for the WTC final at the home of cricket, Rabada's five-wicket haul was enough to see him join Greenidge in the exclusive club. A piece of sticky batting tape with Rabada's name written on it in pen has been attached to the board for his figures of 5-51, as is the tradition for players during matches. The gold lettering should soon follow. And with no place for neutral Tests at Lord's on the honours board since they were refurbished in 2018 it may well be stencilled on there permanently. "It was cool to have it in the home changing room now," said Rabada, whose name is on the board in the away dressing room for the 5-52 he took for his country in a Test against England in 2022. Stuart Broad worked with Rabada before the World Test Championship final Perhaps he benefited from some insider trading from the fast bowlers' union to achieve the feat. In a savvy move, South Africa engaged the services of Stuart Broad - a man who is on the honours board for batting and bowling - in the build-up to this match. They did so on the premise the former England bowler could impart some pearls of wisdom on a ground where he took 113 wickets. Rabada must have been eagerly taking notes - CricViz data showed that 84% of Rabada's deliveries on day one were on a good length, which is the most of any innings in his career. His dismissal of Australia opener Usman Khawaja, with a delivery from round the wicket which squared the left-hander up and took the edge, was Broadian by nature. "Stuart gave us a few pointers on certain field placings and in general with the conditions with cloud cover and wind," acknowledged Rabada, who has the second-best strike-rate (39.1) in the history of the game of bowlers with 100 wickets or more (beaten only by England's George Lohmann, who took his wickets every 34.1 balls between 1886 and 1896). "The ball was nipping a bit and at times moving off the slope quite a lot. I still felt batters could get in. We thought we should have bowled them out for 160 but that's just the way the game goes." There was also a redemption element of sorts to Rabada's efforts with the ball. The 30-year-old fast bowler had come into the match with something of a cloud hanging over him having recently served a short ban for recreational drug use. "It wasn't my best moment, as I have alluded to," Rabada said, in a matter-of-fact manner. "Life moves on. Every game that I play for South Africa, I try to do my best." On a day when 14 wickets fell at Lord's it would be easy to assume the South Africa quick bowler's five-wicket haul could be attributed to other factors. "For day one of a Lord's Test match, it was below average in terms of movement through the air, and just about average for deviation off the pitch," said TMS scorer Andy Zaltzman. "So that comes down to quality of bowling and consistency." Rabada also moved above legendary fast bowler Allan Donald and up to fourth on South Africa's all-time Test wicket-takers list as he took his tally to 332 victims. The three men above him on South Africa's all-time list are Makhaya Ntini (390), Shaun Pollock (421) and Dale Steyn (439). "As a player, growing up and representing South Africa, I have been inspired by those who have come before and seen what they have done on the big stage," he added. "As a kid, I was inspired to do the same thing. To be on that list is something special and long may it continue."
Trivia-busting Rabada joins elite Lord's club of two
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Kagiso Rabada Joins Exclusive Honors Board at Lord's with Five-Wicket Haul"
Bbc News
7.2
TruthLens AI Summary
Kagiso Rabada, the South African fast bowler, has made history by becoming only the second player to have his name featured on the honors board at Lord's for both taking five wickets and scoring a century in Test matches. This prestigious accolade is reserved for players who achieve remarkable performances at this iconic cricket ground. Before Rabada's recent five-wicket haul of 5-51 against Australia during the World Test Championship final, the only other player to achieve this feat was the legendary West Indies opener Gordon Greenidge. Greenidge's contributions to Lord's include a double century and a century against England, along with a significant innings for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). With South Africa utilizing the home dressing room for the WTC final, Rabada's achievement places him in an elite club, and his name is now temporarily marked on the board with sticky tape until it is engraved in gold lettering.
Rabada's performance was bolstered by insights from former England bowler Stuart Broad, who offered strategic advice during the lead-up to the match. Rabada noted that the conditions at Lord's influenced his bowling strategy, allowing him to maintain an impressive length with 84% of his deliveries hitting the right spot. This match marked a significant comeback for Rabada, who had recently faced scrutiny after serving a ban for recreational drug use. He expressed his determination to move forward and perform at his best for South Africa. Moreover, this five-wicket haul has propelled him to fourth place on South Africa's all-time Test wicket-takers list, surpassing the legendary Allan Donald. Rabada acknowledged the inspiration he draws from past South African fast bowlers and expressed pride in continuing their legacy on the international stage.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a significant achievement by South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who has become part of an elite group at Lord's by taking five wickets in a Test match, thus joining only one other player in history on the honours board for both batting and bowling. This accomplishment is celebrated as a milestone in cricket, particularly as it relates to the prestigious venue of Lord's, often regarded as the "home of cricket."
Purpose Behind the Article
This report aims to celebrate Rabada's achievement while also emphasizing the historical context of Test cricket at Lord's. By highlighting the exclusivity of the honours board, the article seeks to enhance the significance of Rabada's feat and raise the profile of South African cricket. Furthermore, it aims to engage cricket fans by connecting them with the historical narrative of the sport.
Public Perception
The framing of the article creates a positive perception around Rabada and South African cricket, suggesting a bright future for the team. By focusing on a landmark achievement, it fosters national pride and encourages support from fans.
Information Omission
While the article does not explicitly conceal information, it focuses heavily on Rabada's achievement without delving into potential controversies or challenges faced by South African cricket, such as inconsistent performances or management issues. This selective emphasis may shape public perception by presenting a more favorable view of the current state of cricket in South Africa.
Manipulative Potential
The article’s tone and choice of language aim to evoke admiration and celebrate success, which could be seen as a form of manipulation to galvanize support for Rabada and the South African team. The celebratory narrative might overshadow underlying issues within the sport, thus influencing readers' perceptions.
Article's Authenticity
The news appears to be credible, as it aligns with factual historical context and recent events in cricket. The significance of Lord's and the honours board is well-documented, lending authenticity to the story.
Social Impact
The article may have a positive impact on the morale of cricket fans in South Africa, potentially influencing public interest and support for the sport. It could also lead to increased viewership for upcoming matches, particularly in the context of the World Test Championship.
Target Audience
This news piece is likely aimed at cricket enthusiasts, sports fans, and followers of South African cricket, as well as the general public interested in sports achievements. The celebratory nature of the article appeals to those who identify with national pride and sporting success.
Economic Implications
While the direct economic impact may be minimal, heightened interest in cricket could translate into increased merchandise sales and ticket sales for future matches. This could benefit local economies, especially in regions where cricket is a popular sport.
Global Context
In terms of global power dynamics, this article does not directly address geopolitical issues but highlights the competitive nature of cricket at an international level. The success of a player like Rabada can contribute to South Africa's standing in the sport, which may have broader implications for sports diplomacy.
AI Involvement
There is a possibility that AI was used in drafting this article, especially in structuring the narrative and generating engaging content. AI models could have aided in ensuring clarity and coherence, particularly in the articulation of Rabada's achievements and the historical context.
In conclusion, while the article serves to celebrate a significant achievement in cricket, its selective focus and celebratory language suggest a strategic intention to promote a positive narrative around South African cricket, potentially at the expense of a more balanced discussion of the sport's challenges.