Ricky Ponting Applauds Kagiso Rabada's Stellar Performance at Lord's

Ponting's Praise for Rabada's Five-Wicket Haul

Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has expressed admiration for South African bowler Kagiso Rabada, who achieved a remarkable five-wicket haul on the first day of the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's. This performance not only earned Rabada a spot on the prestigious Lord's Honours Board but also allowed him to surpass the legendary Allan Donald's record for Test wickets for South Africa.

Ponting noted Rabada's impressive display, recalling that he had delivered a similar performance during his last appearance at Lord's in a Test match against England in 2022.

He drew parallels between Rabada's recent achievements and those of his former teammate Glenn McGrath, who was known for his exceptional bowling at this iconic venue. Ponting remarked, 'Glenn McGrath was also exactly the same at Lord's,' as reported by the cricket governing body.

Ponting highlighted McGrath's fondness for bowling at Lord's, emphasizing the importance of utilizing the slope effectively from both ends of the pitch. He stated, 'These significant matches are all about your star players stepping up.'

In his three matches at Lord's, Rabada has claimed 18 wickets with an impressive average of 16.83, including two five-wicket hauls, the highest for a South African bowler. In contrast, McGrath took 26 wickets in three matches, averaging 11.50, with his best figures being 8/38.

Addressing Rabada's recent challenges off the field, Ponting remarked, 'Having faced some off-field issues in recent months, I believe he is eager to prove himself on the international stage and lead his team effectively. That's what true leaders do.'

While acknowledging that Australia's batting lineup may feel disheartened by their performance on the opening day, Ponting advised them to capitalize on the favorable batting conditions expected in their second innings.