The South African men’s cricket team silenced its critics when Kagiso Rabada showed his worth as he sank West Indies in the first test on Thursday.
Rabada took six for 50 for the Proteas in the West Indies’ second innings in the first Test in Centurion on Thursday to help his side win the game by 87 runs.
However, the bowler said he is disappointed with the win knowing there was just one more match left in the series before the Proteas next play a Test at the end of the year.
“We’re not playing as much Test cricket as we’d like to,” said Rabada.
“I feel Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game, and I think all the players in the change-room feel the same way.
“It is a disappointing aspect, especially when you look at our team and the potential we possess. We’ve got batters and young bowlers who one would like to see mature in this format. It’s unfortunate. When we do play it just means we have to learn quickly.
“The only way we can get better is by playing more Test cricket. I’d like to see a change in the future. Our next Test (after this series) is on Boxing Day (December 26) here at home.
“Test cricket needs to be prioritised more. I can ask for it, but I’m not in charge of that. These are the cards we’ve been dealt.”
Meanwhile, skipper Temba Bavuma, who took charge of his first Test after an announcement that he will lead the team, taking over from Deal Elgar agreed with Rabada.
“It is a bit frustrating. We have voiced it (how we feel), but there’s not much we can do,” Bavuma said.
“We have chatted to officials at Cricket South Africa to help with efforts to try to increase the number of games. It’s up to them.
“As a new team, we’re trying to build something and want to give guys opportunities to showcase what they can do. (Not playing a lot) makes it hard. But, these are the cards we’ve been dealt, and we can only do with what we have.”
Meanwhile, the second Test against the West Indies starts next Wednesday at the Wanderers Stadium.
Main Image: Kagiso Rabada/Sky Sports