'KG’s hip rotation is similar to a javelin thrower’s right-side release' - Allan Donald on what makes Kagiso Rabada a 'special' bowler

Over the years, South Africa have produced some of the finest fast bowlers in cricket history. While comparisons are often drawn between pacers of yesteryears and modern world cricket, this comparison also comes into play as skills needed in red-ball aka Test cricket to make an impact for their becomes paramount. Consequently, when fans and experts delve deep into modern pace bowlers who are still active, one name surely makes the cut and that special bowler is none other than Kagiso Rabada.

Notably, Rabada starred with the ball with his lethal 5-wicket haul for the Proteas in the Centurion Test against India. Such was his wrath that the visitors were unable to recover from early jolts and succumbed at the final frontier through an innings and 32-run defeat. Speaking of KGB's (as he is fondly known) Test credentials, Rabada's bowling magnitude can be understood by the fact that he has 287 victims to his name with an impressive average of 22.11 from just 61 Tests. During these games, he also maintained a strike rate of 39.4, respectively.

As the curiosity gets out of the cat's bag, cricket aficionados often wonder if there is any mystery to his bowling action which has aided him in staying lethal for this long. To finally answer their curiosity, the former pace legend Allan Donald came to the fore and discussed a fascinating aspect of Rabada's bowling. Shedding light on his bowling biomechanics, Donald shared his keen observations. He pointed out that whenever Kagiso Rabada was about to deliver a ball after his follow-up, his hip movement speed astonishingly resembled a world-class 'Javelin throw' athlete.

“If you listen to his feet, every ball is so quick. KG’s hip rotation is similar to a javelin thrower’s right-side release through the impact area. He knows his rhythm and action so well so technical point he is solid. He understands biomechanics as much as a Pat Cummins or a Mitchell Starc. All genuine quicks have got great hip and shoulder rotation and if you observe him technically, he gets in a fantastic position in the air. We always talk about the launch, how they launch off the floor or how big they get at the crease," Donald said.

“Look at other greats like Curtley Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Ian Bishop, Michael Holding all these got off the floor to give them time to pull the trigger and that’s what KG does beautifully. That hang time (off the ground) we talk about. Also if you see at point of backfoot strike, the hips are slightly closed and open up very very quickly. They don’t spend too much time on backfoot. KG is very quick,” Donald was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India (PTI).

Every province had 5 or 6 fast bowlers, if I don’t pull my socks up I could lose my place: Donald

Besides, when it came to pace bowlers of his era, Allan Donald was renowned for his lightning-bolt speed while forging some memorable bowling partnerships over the years. He bowled in tandem with the likes of Brian McMillan, Fannie de Villiers, Brett Schultz and Shaun Pollock to name some of the legends from South Africa. Thus, while comparing he pointed out something intriguing.

Recalling his golden years, Allan Donald said that during his era, South Africa were the number 1 bowling side in the world and was lethal against any opponent in the world. But this majorly happened because back then, in his country there were at least 5 to 6 bowlers from every province who were ready to claim the spot if any bowler in the national team failed to deliver consistent bowling performances. Hence, this led to a cut-throat competition among the South African pace bowlers.

“I am always wary about drawing comparisons as to what we were and what currently is on the table for the Proteas. We had our time under the Sun and were No. 1 in the world. We had a wonderful attack and had incredible depth," the 57-year-old added.

“We were also blessed and every province had 5 or 6 fast bowlers and you were always looking over your shoulder. If I don’t pull my socks up then I could lose my place,” Donald concluded.