NEW DELHI: South Africa bowling coach Piet Botha has said that Kagiso Rabada could still feature in the second Test against India in Guwahati starting Saturday, even though the star pacer did not train on Thursday.
Rabada, widely regarded as one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket and the spearhead of South Africa's pace unit, was forced to miss the opening Test in Kolkata after sustaining a rib injury during a practice session before the match.
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"We are monitoring Kagiso Rabada and we will take a call in the next 24 hours," Botha told reporters on the pacer's participation in the second Test.
With Guwahati staging a Test match for the first time, the pitch at the Barsapara Stadium remains unfamiliar territory for both sides.
"The wicket (in Guwahati) we are told is a good batting track. But a lot of difference happens in terms of whether you keep grass or not. With two days left we will have to wait to see whether it starts turning earlier," Botha said of the track.
The South Africa bowling coach is also hopeful of off-spinner Simon Harmer, one of the heroes of the visitors' memorable win in the first Test at Eden Gardens, spinning a web around the Indian batters in the final game of the short series while also ruling out any issue with his fitness.
"No problems with Simon Harmer's shoulder. If the ball starts turning as early as it did in Kolkata, he will be dangerous with so many left-handers in the line up.
"(We) had a look at it this morning. Still two days out, so it's difficult to predict if they're going to actually cut more grass or not. That will obviously make a difference," Botha said at the press conference after the team's outdoor nets session.
(With PTI Inputs)
