Kagiso Rabada Overtakes Jacques Kallis To Become 6th Leading Wicket-Taker For South Africa In Tests

Star South African pacer Kagiso Rabada was on fire against the West Indies on Saturday, August 10. During the fourth day’s play of the ongoing first Test in Port of Spain, the 29-year-old right-arm pacer picked up three wickets for 56 runs in 18 overs. He helped South Africa dismiss the hosts for 233 runs in the first inning and take a handsome lead of 124 runs.

He first got rid of Kavem Hodge, who made 25 runs, and then dismissed Gudakesh Motie (0) and Kemar Roach (2).

By taking his first wicket of the match, Rabada took his tally of wickets to 292 in Test cricket, and it helped him break former all-rounder Jacques Kallis’ record of 291 Test wickets. During his playing days, Kallis featured in 165 red-ball matches for South Africa and dismissed 291 batters.

By overtaking Kallis, Rabada has now moved to No. 6 position in the list of leading wicket-takers for South Africa in Tests.

Former pacer Dale Steyn holds the record for taking the most wickets in Test cricket for the Proteas. During his 15-year-long career, he accounted for the dismissal of 439 batters in 93 matches. Steyn is followed by former captain Shaun Pollock, who finished his career with 421 wickets in 108 Tests.

Makhaya Ntini is in third place with 390 wickets, Allan Donald is fourth with 330 wickets, and Moren Morkel is in fifth place with 309 wickets in 86 Tests.

Most wickets for SA in Tests

Rabada, who made his international debut for South Africa in 2014 during a T20I match in Australia, has so far played 63 Tests.

SA in pole position

After dismissing the hosts for 233 runs in the first inning, South Africa finished the fourth day’s play at 30 without losing a wicket in five overs. The visitors would like to score runs at a quick pace in the morning session of the final day and extend the lead to at least 250 runs before inviting Kraigg Brathwaite’s men to come and bat for the second time in the match.

For South Africa, apart from Rabada, Keshav Maharaj picked up four wickets in the first innings. He had dismissed three batters on Day 3 itself and picked up his fourth wicket in the form of Joshua Da Silva, who made one run.