Overstepping bowler almost cost Proteas dearly against Afghanistan

The solution to Kagiso Rabada’s no-ball issues rests between his ears and not his feet believes his former Proteas teammate Vernon Philander.

“He’s always been tight on that line,” Philander said. “I remember when I was playing with him that he’d always shoot a look at the umpire quickly after taking a wicket.”

Rabada’s disastrous final over against Afghanistan on Wednesday, when he bowled two no-balls, almost proved costly for the Proteas, who had to survive two super overs before winning.

Philander, who was a bowling coach with Pakistan at the 2021 T20 World Cup, explained it would be difficult to work on any technical issues, given the short turnaround between matches.

“It’s more mental than technical. You want to find that middle ground and give yourself a comfort zone,” said Philander. “It definitely needs addressing. But it’s difficult.

“From working with Pakistan, I know there isn’t a lot of time in these tournaments. You’re in the nets and it’s four overs, not like Test cricket where you can take time to solve problems.”

Rabada had plenty of trouble with no-balls in the Test format last season, delivering 50 across six Tests. In the T20 format it’s been less of an issue.

He only bowled one in the World Cup in the US and Caribbean in 2024 and in nine matches since that tournament, he’s been called for overstepping 10 times — including the two against Afghanistan. He bowled four no-balls against England in Manchester last year, when the Proteas conceded a record 304 runs.

But, given the occasion, Wednesday’s pair of errors were the most costly.

“There are a lot of elements at stake, including the intensity of the T20 format, but I’d say it’s more mental. He must give himself a bit more room to play with,” said Philander.

In resolving it, Rabada might do some work on his run-up — the rhythm more than the stride pattern — and his gather in the nets, spending more time closely studying video of himself and then focusing more clearly.

Overall Philander said he was concerned with another problem with South Africa’s bowling at the World Cup.

“There is room for opponents to target South Africa at the end of the innings, because we don’t have another out and out death bowler.”

With Ottniel Baartman not picked, the Proteas rely on Corbin Bosch to bowl at the death, but he wasn’t chosen on Wednesday, putting Marco Jansen and Rabada in positions where they usually aren’t asked to perform.

“Especially in the subcontinent, you need that death bowling option. We need to get Bosch in the team.”

It’s so difficult to gain form especially in the T20 format. It’s not like you have a lot of days between games to go and work on things for an extended period.

—  Vernon Philander