Steve Smith hints at sledging tactics to counter Kagiso Rabada

After hosting India across all formats of the game, the Proteas are geared up for their next challenge with Steve Smith led Australian side already in the rainbow nation. Both the teams will lock horns in a four-match Test series, in what promises to be an enthralling battle to establish dominion.

Australia’s tour to South Africa is being billed as a contest between the lethal pace-attacks of both the teams. Ahead of the first Test, slated to begin on Thursday, Aussie skipper Steve Smith has revealed his plans of countering the threat of Kagiso Rabada. Rabada’s future hangs precariously who now has 5 demerit points from ICC for poor conduct.

The Aussie skipper is keen to take full-advantage, hinting that his team will not rest easy on Rabada, with the numero uno Test bowler just one incident away from a two-Test suspension.

Speaking to cricket.com.au, Smith said, “It could perhaps be a plan to try and get him fired up. You never know what some guys do when they’re fired up. He’s obviously a quality bowler and a big player for them. You don’t want to see guys getting suspended or anything like that, you want to come up against the best, but you never know.”

Rabada on the verge of being suspended again

The 22-year-old Proteas speedster was fined 15 percent of his match fee and received one demerit point after being found guilty of a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during the one-dayers against India in Port Elizabeth. He now has five demerit points on his disciplinary record.

Previously Kagiso Rabada received three demerit points against Sri Lanka last year followed by one demerit point during the Lord’s Test against England. Subsequently, he served a one-match suspension, sitting out of the Trent Bridge Test after his accumulated demerit points reached four. If Rabada reaches the next threshold of eight or more within a 24-month period, he will be suspended again from two consecutive fixtures.

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