Matthew Wade expects Kagiso Rabada to be in Australia's 'face' in second Test in Gqeberha

Rowan Callaghan|Published 32 minutes ago

Australia are under no illusions about the escalating challenge awaiting them at St George’s Park, with assistant coach Matthew Wade warning the tourists to brace for a "fiery reception" as Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada closes in on a return in the second Test that starts on Sunday.

Holding a 1–0 lead in the three-match series following their 214-run victory in Durban, Australia trained in Gqeberha on Thursday and Friday with an eye on local pitch conditions and a rejuvenated Proteas seam attack.

Rabada, who missed the series opener as he completed his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury, bowled with trademark pace and aggression in the adjacent nets — a sight that did not escape the Australian camp.

"The thing that stands out with him is his competitiveness," Wade said of Rabada. "He takes it to the opposition. He'll be in our face and he'll keep coming for the whole Test match. We really know that. Him and Anrich Nortje can share those short, sharp spells and really attack as hard as they want."

While the hosts expect a major fast-bowling boost, Australia look set to delay all-rounder Cameron Green's return to the playing XI.

Green has resumed light batting duties in the nets following an abdominal strain, but Wade confirmed the second Test comes too soon.

"Greeny is here and he’ll be hitting over the next week," Wade explained. "I think he is probably more likely for the third Test in Cape Town, but he’s starting to get moving again, which is a really positive sign."

Coming off a career-best second-innings haul of 6/49, pace bowler Josh Hazlewood highlighted how South Africa’s hard, firm surfaces are reviving reverse swing.

"If the wicket is hard, firm, deteriorating and there's not much seam movement, you're probably going to get that reverse swing," Hazlewood explained during his pitch-side briefing.

"You probably want the ball a bit harder and a little bit of reverse swing rather than a lot of reverse swing with a soft ball. That's much easier to navigate as a batsman."

The physical characteristics of South African wickets played directly into Australia’s strategic blueprint during the series opener at Kingsmead, where the tourists systematically broke open the match on day three.

"It's abrasive wickets — it's very hard underfoot," Hazlewood noted. "We probably got a hint of swing in the first innings and then as the game goes, it just deteriorates more and you get a bit more. So we knew it was crucial."