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South African cricketers Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham, Aiden Markram, and Tristan Stubbs have praised their teammate Kagiso Rabada as the world’s best bowler ahead of the World Test Championship final against Australia on June 11. Currently ranked second in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings behind Jasprit Bumrah, Rabada’s teammates expressed their confidence in his abilities at Lord’s.Wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, speaking exclusively to the ICC before the World Test Championship decider, emphasized Rabada’s status in world cricket.“KG’s the best bowler in the world. Without a doubt, he’s the best bowler in the world and I think he’s one of those guys that always wants to do it on the big stage and you don’t get any stages bigger than this, so I think he’s going to be massive for us,” Verreynne stated.Verreynne, who witnessed Rabada’s five-wicket haul at Lord’s previously, shared his unique perspective as a wicketkeeper.“Any game that he plays in, any team that he plays for, KG with the Proteas badge, and I think especially in white kit, is a different beast. I know how much Test cricket means to him and I know how much he loves this current team and this space, so putting all of those things into his performance, I think he’ll be a massive threat,” he added.
David Bedingham expressed his admiration for Rabada’s previous success at Lord’s.“I genuinely think he’s the best bowler in the world. He’s played here (Lord’s), he’s taken wickets here before, so him going well will go a long way to us winning the whole thing. He’s an amazing person… and he makes our jobs a lot easier. He’s the leader of our attack,” Bedingham said.Opener Aiden Markram highlighted Rabada’s leadership qualities and ability to perform in crucial moments.“(Rabada) gets up for the really big moments. He wants to lead from the front and he takes a lot of guys with him on that journey. So, obviously a big player for us, but he’s (also) been complemented really well in the bowling department by everyone else and they’ve, sort of, found a way to work really well together. No doubt he’s the leader of the attack, but he pulls guys with him and guys tend to follow,” Markram explained.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?Rabada’s previous performance at Lord’s was noteworthy, taking 5/52 in the first innings and seven wickets in total during South Africa’s victory over England in August 2022.Markram recalled the intense atmosphere during that match.“I remember the wicket was quite busy. We were in the slip cordon and we were on edge the whole time, because it felt like every ball you could get a catch. But, (Rabada) bowled really well. He used the (Lord’s) slope and various angles really well, broke partnerships when there was a partnership to break and did what he does… so special to have been on the field,” Markram said.Batter Tristan Stubbs also expressed his confidence in Rabada’s form.“He’s an amazing bowler and he’s fresh and ready to go, I’m happy he’s on my team,” Stubbs told ICC Digital.
