Rabada the only Proteas player in Men’s Test Team of the Year

Rabada led the way with the red ball in 2022, finishing the calendar year as the joint top wicket-taker with 47 scalps at an average of 22.25. He added two five-wicket hauls to his ever-growing wicket tally and etched his name on the Lord’s Honours Boards with his 5-52 against England in August, which helped South Africa secure a memorable win at the Home of Cricket.

He also picked up 5-60 in the second Test against New Zealand in February as South Africa bounced back to draw the series 1-1.

In making their decision, the press release stated that Rabada’s “returns were consistent across all the series in which he played, with the 27-year-old taking at least 10 wickets against each of the four opponents he faced. And his average was hugely consistent across the different conditions too, with Rabada impressing most at home with 14 wickets at 20.53, but also proving highly effective in England, Australia and New Zealand.”

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You can read all the other explanations of the selections here

Rabada features among some incredible stars

Meanwhile, Cricket South Africa (CSA) today congratulated Momentum Proteas trio Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka and Laura Wolvaardt on being named in the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year along with Proteas Men’s Kagiso Rabada, who was named in the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year.

Fierce seamer, Ismail delivered a year for the record books in the 50-over format, taking an incredible 37 wickets in 16 innings, including a best of five for eight against Ireland in Dublin.

Her showing against Ireland was preceded by another stunning display at the ICC Women’s World Cup that saw the 34-year-old finish second on the wicket-taking charts with 14 scalps – only outdone by England’s Sophie Ecclestone.

Another crucial component of the prominent South African bowling attack is the hugely talented right-armer Khaka. The 30-year-old produced a career-best campaign with the ball, picking up 27 wickets in 17 outings, claiming a maiden five-wicket haul against the West Indies at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

Proteas batter Wolvaardt dispatched 882 ODI runs in 18 innings, which also featured eight half-centuries and one hundred scored against the Windies at the Wanderers.

Wolvaardt’s runs not only helped South Africa achieve their success in the last 12 months, but it also meant she became the highest run scorer in 2022, where she broke a 25-year stronghold by the previous top two in Australian Belinda Clark (970 runs) and New Zealand’s Deborah Hockley (880).

CEO Pholetsi Moseki commended the Proteas who were included

“Shabnim, Ayabonga, Laura, Kagiso continue to be torchbearers for South Africa’s pride. Their hard-work, excellence and grit with ball and bat are a marvel to behold, coupled with their temperament to always stand shoulder-high above the rest.

“These accolades are testament to the depth of talent that we have in the cricket space; a treasure-trove which makes us beam with pride. Congratulations to the quartet on these stellar achievements and for inscribing their names with ICC greats. CSA and South Africa joins with them in celebrating their resounding and proud achievements.”

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