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- ‘Can’t take any series for granted’: Kagiso Rabada warns South Africa against complacency ahead of Bangladesh Tests
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‘Can’t take any series for granted’: Kagiso Rabada warns South Africa against complacency ahead of Bangladesh Tests
Kagiso Rabada
Fresh from dethroning Australia to become the world’s top-ranked Test side, South Africa are determined to maintain their winning momentum as they prepare to host Bangladesh in a two-match Test series. However, fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has warned his teammates against complacency, insisting that the Proteas will not underestimate their opponents despite the difference in ICC rankings.Watch
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The first Test is scheduled to begin at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday, with South Africa looking to build on their impressive performances against Australia. Rabada believes Bangladesh will arrive with plenty of confidence and motivation, making the contest an exciting challenge for the hosts.Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the South African pacer stressed that no international series could be taken lightly.”In international cricket, you can’t take any series for granted. There are always high stakes on every game that you play. And moving into this series against Bangladesh, they’ll be heightened in their spirits, looking at the way they’ve played in recent times,” Rabada said.
Rabada excited about Bangladesh challenge
Although Bangladesh are ranked eighth in the latest ICC Test rankings, Rabada believes their recent performances make them a dangerous opponent. The visitors have developed a competitive bowling attack and will be keen to make their mark against the reigning top-ranked Test side.Bangladesh also recorded a historic nine-wicket Test victory in Australia in August, further strengthening their belief ahead of the South Africa tour.Rabada welcomed the challenge, saying that competing against quality opposition was exactly what international cricket was about.”It’s actually exciting, you know? You want to be up against the best opposition that you can be. And I think they’d want to come here and prove a point and I’m really looking forward to this battle. I think it will show how healthy cricket is,” he added.
South Africa wary of complacency
Rabada, who became the fastest bowler to reach 350 Test wickets during the Australia series, also admitted that South Africa had previously underestimated opponents and paid the price.The experienced pacer said the team would be mindful of avoiding a similar situation against Bangladesh and would look to maintain the intensity that has brought them success over the last two years.”I think it’s human nature, we’ve found ourselves on that side before where we probably got a bit too complacent. It’s something that we have to guard against, to really give it our best shot and not drop the intensity, to keep our standards right up there,” he said.
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The 30-year-old further emphasised that South Africa’s focus would remain on their approach rather than the final result, with the team determined to continue playing an aggressive brand of cricket.”We’re not really thinking about the result, we’re just going to think about how we want to play, because that’s what we’ve been doing these past two years, having that desperation to win. And yeah, getting into the faces of our opponents, that’s exactly how we want to play. We’ll be looking to do more of the same,” Rabada concluded.
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