'Ban him' - Mitchell McClenaghan reacts to Michael Vaughan's tweet on Kagiso Rabada's suspension

South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada was banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) from playing in the fourth and final Test against England in Johannesburg next week after he gave a send-off to England captain Joe Root in the ongoing third match in Port Elizabeth.

The incident happened when the 24-year-old bowled Root in the 65th over of the opening day and ran up to him and screamed as he walked off. The ban of the in-form bowler, who has picked 14 wickets in the series so far, is certainly a major blow to the home team.

Rabada, who is ranked No.4 in ICC Test bowlers’ list, already had three demerit points and picking the fourth point in a 24-month period means he will miss either one Test, two ODIs or two T20Is. Rabada picked his previous three points in the Test series against India and Australia at home two years ago. He took two wickets in the first innings at the time of writing this report and is five short of making the 200-wickets club.

Michael Vaughan calls Rabada’s ban ‘absolute bonkers’

Although Rabada was at the law’s receiving end for wildly celebrating a wicket against England, he found sympathy from former Three Lions captain Michael Vaughan. In his tweet, Vaughan, who is known for his forthright views and analyses, called the banning of Rabada for celebrating the wicket of Root as “absolute bonkers”. He said people are let off despite bowling slow and get banned for celebrating a wicket. “The World is bloody nuts,” he added.

Ban him. We hate the best players in the world playing anyway 🤥

— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) January 17, 2020

Vaughan’s words were picked up by left-arm New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan who came up with a sarcastic response. He said: “Ban him” and added that people hate the best players in the world playing anyway. The response could also have a slight dig at England who won the ICC World Cup beating New Zealand in a controversial final at the Lord’s last July. he followed up his response with a funny emoji.

Meanwhile, England were well-placed in the crucial third Test after Root won the toss and elected to bat. They were 373 for 6 at the time of writing this report with all-rounder Ben Stokes having slammed 120 and Ollie Pope batting in the 80s. Rabada was the best bowler so far with two wickets for 70 while spinner Keshav Maharaj took two for 110. Root, who made a half-century in the last innings, made 27. Opener Dom Sibley was the other wicket that went to Rabada.

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