Kagiso Rabada Creates New World Record With 350 Test Wickets; Leaves Behind Dale Steyn

Ritam

Kagiso Rabada celebrating 350 Test wickets (Source: AFP Photos)

Kagiso Rabada, arguably the most dangerous fast bowler of all time in Tests, reached new heights on Saturday during South Africa’s third Test against Australia at Newlands, Cape Town. The 31-year-old made a new world record in red-ball cricket with his 350th wicket in the format.

Rabada took only 13,808 deliveries to reach his 350th Test wicket. No bowler had reached there in fewer deliveries than he did.

Kagiso Rabada Breaks Dale Steyn's All-Time Record

Earlier, Dale Steyn held the record for the fewest balls taken to 350 Test wickets. The South African legend took 14,719 balls to achieve the feat, while Rabada took almost 1,000 fewer balls to reach the top of the world.

Fewest balls bowled to complete 350 Test wickets

13808 - Kagiso Rabada
14719 - Dale Steyn
14905 - Waqar Younis
16285 - Malcolm Marshall
16908 - Mitchell Starc

What Is The Highest Successful Run Chase At Newlands, Cape Town, In Tests?

Fastest To 350 Wickets For South Africa In Tests (By Matches)

69 - Dale Steyn
75 - Kagiso Rabada*
86 - Shaun Pollock
90 - Makhaya Ntini

Rabada's Other Career Milestones After 350 Test Wickets

Overall, Kagiso Rabada became the joint fourth-fastest player in the world to reach 350 Test wickets by matches. Steyn is at the top, along with Richard Hadlee, while Dennis Lillee and Glenn McGrath rank between him and the two above.

Meanwhile, West Indies great Malcolm Marshall took the same number of matches for 350 Test wickets as Rabada.

Fewest Tests To 350 Wickets Among Pacers

69 - Richard Hadlee / Dale Steyn
70 - Dennis Lillee
74 - Glenn McGrath
75 - Malcolm Marshall / Kagiso Rabada*
78 - Waqar Younis
79 - Imran Khan

Rabada is now the fourth South African pacer to have 350 or more Test wickets. Before him, Steyn, Shaun Pollock, and Makhaya Ntini crossed that mark.

Most Wickets For South Africa In Tests

439 - Dale Steyn

421 - Shaun Pollock

390 - Makhaya Ntini

350* - Kagiso Rabada*

Before his 350th Test wicket, which was of Travis Head’s, Rabada took two wickets in his very first over of the innings. Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne were his victims, and Rabada became only the fourth player from South Africa in Test history to take two wickets in the first over of the innings.