Kagiso Rabada delivered a decisive spell on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test at Centurion, picking up three crucial wickets as New Zealand slipped to 142/6 by stumps, firmly tilting the match in South Africa’s favor. After South Africa’s declaration set the tone earlier in the day, Rabada ensured the hosts fully capitalized on the pressure with a relentless burst of fast bowling.
From the outset of New Zealand’s reply, Rabada looked dangerous. Bowling with pace, accuracy, and trademark intensity, he extracted steep bounce from the Centurion surface and forced the batters into hurried decisions. The early overs were probing rather than explosive, but the pressure steadily built as New Zealand struggled to rotate strike consistently.
Rabada’s first breakthrough came when he tempted a batter into playing away from the body, drawing an edge that was safely taken in the slips. That wicket immediately shifted momentum, energizing the fielding side and tightening South Africa’s grip on the contest. With the scoreboard pressure already significant, New Zealand suddenly found themselves needing consolidation rather than progression.
The second wicket followed through sheer pace and precision. Rabada attacked the stumps with a fuller length, producing a dismissal that highlighted his ability to combine aggression with control. By then, New Zealand’s top order had been dismantled, and the middle order was forced into survival mode far earlier than planned.
As the session progressed, Rabada continued to lead the attack with authority. Even when he was not taking wickets, his spells created chances and kept the batters pinned down. His third wicket came at a crucial moment, just as New Zealand were attempting to rebuild through a cautious partnership. The dismissal broke that resistance and exposed the lower middle order, compounding the visitors’ problems.
By stumps, New Zealand’s position at 142/6 reflected a day of missed opportunities and sustained pressure. While there were brief periods of resistance, the inability to string together meaningful partnerships proved costly. South Africa’s bowlers, spearheaded by Rabada, maintained disciplined lines and never allowed the game to drift.
Rabada’s impact went beyond the numbers. His presence set the tone for the entire bowling unit, allowing others to attack with confidence from the opposite end. The aggressive fields and constant chatter in the slips added to the intensity, making batting an uncomfortable experience for New Zealand throughout the day.
For South Africa, the day could hardly have gone better. The declaration showed intent, and the bowlers responded emphatically. With New Zealand six wickets down and still significantly behind, the hosts are now well-positioned to push for a decisive result.
New Zealand, meanwhile, face an uphill battle heading into Day 3. The remaining batters must show resilience and discipline to extend the innings and keep the match alive. Any further collapse could open the door to a dominant South African victory.
As it stands, Kagiso Rabada’s three-wicket haul has placed South Africa firmly in control. On a pitch offering pace and bounce, he once again proved why he remains one of the most feared fast bowlers in world cricket, delivering when his team needed him most.
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