Kagiso Rabada's Hattrick on ODI Debut Takes Him to an Exclusive Club
Kagiso Rabada is the third South African to take an ODI hattrick after Charl Langeveldt against the West Indies in 2005 and JP Duminy against Sri Lanka at the ICC World Cup earlier this year
Kagiso Rabada tore most of the Bangladesh Tigers top order to pieces with a record-breaking debut performance for South Africa in the opening ODI at Mirpur on Friday. Bangladesh, after winning the toss in a match reduced to 40 overs per side after heavy overnight and morning rain, were dismissed for 160 in 36.3 overs. (SCORECARD)
Rabada, the 114th player to represent the Proteas in this format, became only the second player to take a hattrick on debut and his final return of 6/16 from his limit of 8 overs was the best ever on debut, beating Fidel Edwards' 6/22 for the West Indies. The previous best debut performance for South Africa was Allan Donald's 5/29 against India in the Proteas first ever ODI. (Rabada Becomes Second Bowler to Take Hat-Trick on ODI Debut)
He is also the third South African to take an ODI hattrick after Charl Langeveldt against the West Indies in 2005 and and JP Duminy against Sri Lanka at the ICC World Cup earlier this year and the 39th hat trick on the all-time list.
They were also the best ever figures for South Africa beating Makhaya Ntini's 6/22 against Australia. He might have become the first Protea to take 7 wickets as he had one delivery at the No. 11 Bangladesh batsman at the end of his second spell but could not pull it off.
He is also the 11th youngest bowler at the age of 20 years and 46 days to take five wickets on debut. The previous best for South Africa was by Wayne Parnell at the age of 20 years and 56 days against Australia.
With the exception of the experienced Shakib-al-Hasan, who made 48 off 51 balls (5 fours), none of the Bangladesh top order could cope with the pace and accuracy of Rabada who took 4/14 (1 maiden) in his opening spell of 5 overs and incredibly only conceded two wides in his closing spell between the 26th and 31st overs of 3-2-2-2.
The stand-out feature of Rabada's performance was his outstanding control and his impeccable length.
With Morne Morkel due to play his 100th ODI in the second match on Sunday it will be interesting to see what the selectors do. Rabada certainly won't be the player sitting out.
(With inputs from Cricket South Africa)