Rabada says Proteas not paying attention to noise ahead of WC
Kagiso Rabada mentioned that the Proteas were not focused on “the drama outside of South African cricket and World Cups.”
Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada says the team is not getting distracted ahead of the 2023 ICC World Cup.
For over 30 years, the South African team have failed to win the elusive title despite coming close on several occasions.
The 1999 World Cup remains the closest any SA senior cricket team has come to lifting the World Cup trophy but a miscommunication between Lance Klusener and Allan Donald costs the Proteas a place in the final.
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This week, Rabada told the media that the team was only focused on WC preparations.
“All this drama outside about South African cricket and World Cups … we’re not paying attention to it really,” Rabada was quoted on IOL.
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“Having been to World Cups and not winning silverware, it’s disappointing … I won’t lie.
“I’m willing to make it happen, we’re all willing to make it happen.
“Winning a World Cup is something that I would love to do. It’s something every player that’s in the set-up would love to do.
“The only thing going there, once the squad is announced, is to win it,” Rabada added.
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The 28-year-old will be playing in his second World Cup, having featured in the 2019 editions. He alongside Aiden Markram know the feeling of winning an international trophy as they were part of the SA Under-19 team that won the World Cup in 2014.
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“It’s important to identify periods of rest because there’s so much cricket happening at the moment,” Rabada said said.
“You don’t want to go to the World Cup overcooked … You don’t want to go to the World Cup or any series undercooked or overcooked. It’s about finding the right balance,” he said.
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Rabada and his teammates play their opening World Cup match against Sri Lanka on 7 October but before that, they host Australia as they prepare for the tournament.