“When you watch him, he looks so relaxed”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith has admitted that he was surprised by how well pace bowler Kagiso Rabada fared in the recently concluded first Test against Australia in Perth.

Rabada played an instrumental role in leading the Proteas to a 177-run win and was even named Man of the Match for his seven wickets, five of which came in the second innings.

The 21-year-old is the youngest and most inexperienced member of South Africa’s pace attack, but he showed how much damage he is capable of inflicting at the WACA.

“He keeps surprising everybody. The most remarkable thing about him is that he keeps taking everything in his stride,” Smith said. “When you watch him, he looks so relaxed.

“To have the experience to bowl the reverse-swinging ball both ways, like he is doing, is a remarkable skill to have so early on in your career.

“I know (bowling coach) Charl Langeveldt was really good with the reverse-swinging ball, and Dale is the best in the world, so he has got some good value around him.

“But to have the skill and the mindset to do that already is incredible.”

Smith also heaped praise on Rabada for maintaining his composure and keeping his cool when the crowd tried to get under his skin.

“The crowds will be getting stuck into him, and for him to be handling it like he is, that is probably his greatest asset,” he said. “Besides his pace, the skill, I believe that his mental attitude towards bowling and towards what lies ahead of him is his greatest asset.”