South Africa release batsman JP Duminy from Test squad
Tuesday 25 July 2017 16:42, UK
South Africa's Kagiso Rabada will be raring to go when he returns for the third Test against England at the Oval on Thursday, according to his bowling coach Charl Langeveldt.
Rabada missed the second Test in Nottingham, where the Proteas levelled the series, as he got banned for swearing after he dismissed Ben Stokes in the first innings of the tourists' 211-run defeat at Lord's.
But, Langeveldt expects the 22-year-old to mark his return with an impressive display in the match, which is live on Sky Sports Cricket.
"KG is one of our best bowlers," Langeveldt said. "He is the type of guy who steps up when the heat is on and having him back is a big bonus for us.
"He is a youngster with a lot of energy, he will come with a lot of energy and I have no doubt he will step up.
"He did a lot of work before play during the second Test in Nottingham. He bowled his overs and got his workload up, he will be raring to go."
Rabada was handed only one demerit point for giving Stokes a send-off after the all-rounder was caught behind, but under International Cricket Council regulations, he was banned for accumulating four points in a 24-month period.
The right-arm quick had already been given three points for a clash with Sri Lanka's Niroshan Dickwella at Cape Town in February, but Langeveldt insists the incident has not affected Rabada's morale.
"He has been positive," Langeveldt added. "He was obviously disappointed about what happened but he has learned from that.
"The important thing about an incident like this is to learn from it so that it doesn't happen again. KG is a strong character and he was positive the whole week and wants to be ready for the Test."
South Africa batsman Hashim Amla - who scored 311 against England at The Oval in 2012 - added of Rabada: "He's been a quality bowler for us ever since he came on to the scene.
"He's an attacking bowler, bowls really good pace and bowls some unplayable balls as well. We want Rabada to be Rabada - that means he's fiery. He's a hell of a bowler when he is just being himself."
JP Duminy, meanwhile, has been released from South Africa's Test squad and will return home, leaving the uncapped Aiden Markram as the sole batting cover.
Duminy, 33, scored 15 and two in the Proteas' defeat to England in the first Test before being dropped for the second as captain Faf du Plessis returned from paternity leave.
