Rabada sets up South Africa win

Kagiso Rabada put aside his disciplinary concerns to set up a series-levelling win for South Africa on the fourth day of the second Test against Australia at St George’s Park on Monday. South Africa won by six wickets after Rabada’s fast bowling ensured they needed to chase a modest 101 runs for victory. The fast bowler, who faces a ban from the remaining two Tests of the series, took six for 54 as Australia were bowled out for 239 in their second innings.

Congratulations to the Man of the Match @KagisoRabada25! ??? #ProteaFire #SAvAUS #SunfoilTest pic.twitter.com/SjaCr1ZgP7

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 12, 2018

South Africa lost four wickets before Theunis de Bruyn hit the winning runs. AB de Villiers, whose 126 not out enabled South Africa to lead by 139 runs on the first innings, hit a quick 28 off 26 balls before he was caught at short leg off Nathan Lyon with 20 runs still needed. Rabada took the first three of the five Australian wickets that fell for the addition of 59 runs on Monday. He had match figures of 11 for 150 – the fourth time in his 28-Test career that he had ten or more wickets in a match.

“We’re just asking for a bit more consistency...” @faf1307 on the demerit system. #SAvAUS #SunfoilTest #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/52xazxKTZc

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 12, 2018

There was a shadow hanging over the 22-year-old fast bowler, however. He attended a disciplinary meeting convened by match referee Jeff Crowe on Sunday night after being charged with a level two offence following an incident in which his shoulder made contact with Australian captain Steve Smith on the first day. The verdict was expected to be announced after the match. If found guilty Rabada will face a two-Test ban because of previous offences on his record.

“I won’t change the way I express myself, I’ll just get away from the batter.” @KagisoRabada25 on his wicket celebrations. #ProteaFire #SAvAUS #SunfoilTest pic.twitter.com/OwZ3IlsSth

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 12, 2018

Rabada was hit with a further charge on Monday, a level one offence, following a send-off of David Warner on Sunday. Rabada struck in the first over of the morning when he bowled Mitchell Marsh for 45 with a ball which swung in sharply. Pat Cummins fell to a sharp catch at gully by Theunis de Bruyn and Mitchell Starc edged a drive to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. Lyon was caught behind off Lungi Ngidi and last man Josh Hazlewood hit a quick 17 before being caught in the deep off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.

With a cover driven four, De Bruyn puts the seal on a wonderful comeback victory from @OfficialCSA! They've registered a comfortable six-wicket win to level the series against Australia at Port Elizabeth.#SAvAUS SCORECARD ➡️ https://t.co/ZWU7vOm1bo pic.twitter.com/x8e4tgNBrd

— ICC (@ICC) March 12, 2018

Tim Paine was left unbeaten on 28. Lyon was brought on for the last over before lunch and with his first ball caught Dean Elgar off a leading edge as the left-handed batsman stretched forward. It was a near-replica of Elgar’s dismissal to the off-spinner in the first innings of the first Test in Durban.

Kagiso Rabada is player of the match for his 11-wicket haul - the fourth time he's taken 10 or more wickets in a Test match. He's still only 22 - what a talent!#SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/IDl2DsOeIh

— ICC (@ICC) March 12, 2018

Aiden Markram had an escape in the second over of South Africa’s chase. With his score on six he was dropped at first slip by Mitchell Marsh off Hazlewood. Markram made 21 before he was caught by Smith at second slip off Hazlewood. Hashim Amla and De Villiers added 49 before both were dismissed with the total on 81. Amla was caught behind off Pat Cummins for 27 and De Villiers fell to Lyon three balls later. BRIEF SCORE: South Africa 382 (De Villiers 126*, Elgar 57, Amla 56, Cummins 3-79) and 102 for 4 beat Australia 243 (Warner 63, Rabada 5-96, Ngidi 3-51) and 239 (Khawaja 75, Rabada 6-54) by 6 wickets