South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada scripted history during the third Test against Australia, becoming the fastest bowler to reach 350 Test wickets in terms of balls bowled.
Rabada achieved the milestone on Day 5 of the series-deciding Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday, dismissing Australia's Travis Head during the second innings. The South African pacer reached the landmark in 13,808 deliveries, surpassing compatriot Dale Steyn's previous record of 14,719 balls.
Rabada produced a crucial breakthrough as South Africa defended a target of 288 runs. He bowled a fuller delivery outside off stump, tempting Head into a drive. The Australian batter edged the ball behind, where Marco Jansen took the catch at gully to complete the dismissal.
Kagiso Rabada breaks Dale Steyn's record
With the dismissal, Rabada became the quickest bowler to claim 350 wickets in Test cricket based on the number of deliveries bowled.
The 30-year-old surpassed Steyn, who had reached the milestone in 14,719 balls. Former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis is third on the list, having taken 14,905 deliveries to complete 350 Test wickets.
Fewest balls to reach 350 Test wickets
- Kagiso Rabada - 13,808 balls
- Dale Steyn - 14,719 balls
- Waqar Younis -14,905 balls
- Malcolm Marshall -16,285 balls
- Mitchell Starc - 16,908 balls
Rabada reached the milestone in his 75th Test, making him the joint fourth-fastest fast bowler to claim 350 wickets in terms of matches played, alongside West Indies legend Malcolm Marshall.
Richard Hadlee and Dale Steyn jointly hold the record for the fewest Tests taken by a fast bowler to reach the landmark, having achieved it in 69 matches.
Kagiso Rabada gives South Africa a flying start
Rabada also made an immediate impact at the start of Australia's second innings, striking twice in the opening over.
He first dismissed Matt Renshaw, who edged a delivery while attempting to guide it towards the leg side. Wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton completed the catch.
Three balls later, Rabada trapped Marnus Labuschagne leg-before wicket with an inswinger. Labuschagne reviewed the decision, but the ball-tracking showed the impact was on umpire's call for the wickets, and he had to return to the pavilion.
The double strike gave South Africa an early advantage as they looked to defend their target in the series-deciding Test.
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