Kagiso Rabada Joins Elite Club, Reaches 600 International Wickets

South African speedster Kagiso Rabada has become the fifth bowler from his country to claim 600 international wickets, achieving the milestone during the ongoing third Test against Australia in Cape Town. The right-arm pacer now has 601 wickets in 260 international matches. He joins an elite group of South African bowlers to have crossed the 600-wicket mark, led by Shaun Pollock (823 wickets). Dale Steyn follows with 697 wickets, while Makhaya Ntini and Allan Donald have 661 and 602 wickets respectively.

Rabada also reached the milestone of 350 Test wickets after dismissing Australian opener Travis Head for 14 on Day 5 of the third Test.

He became the joint third-fastest pacer to reach 350 Test wickets in terms of matches, achieving the feat in 75 Tests. Rabada shares the position with Malcolm Marshall, while Richard Hadlee and Dale Steyn jointly top the list, having reached the landmark in 69 Tests each.

Dennis Lillee is second on the list, having taken 70 Tests to reach 350 wickets, while Glenn McGrath achieved the feat in 74 matches.

Rabada, however, leads the list of fastest bowlers to 350 Test wickets in terms of deliveries bowled. He reached the milestone in just 13,808 balls, ahead of Steyn, who took 14,719 deliveries.

Waqar Younis occupies third place with 14,905 balls, followed by Malcolm Marshall (16,285) and Mitchell Starc (16,908).

With 601 international wickets to his name, Rabada has further strengthened his status as one of South Africa's most successful bowlers across formats.

In the ongoing third Test, Rabada produced a sensational opening spell on Day 5, claiming three key wickets to put the hosts firmly in command of the series decider.

Rabada, who completed both 600 international wickets and 350 Test wickets during the day, dismantled Australia's top order as the visitors slipped to 40/4 while chasing a target of 288 runs.

Australia began the final day needing 288 for victory but suffered an early collapse as Rabada struck twice in his opening over. He first dismissed Matthew Renshaw for a duck before trapping Marnus Labuschagne lbw for four.

The fast bowler returned to remove Travis Head for 14, bringing up his 350th Test wicket and leaving Australia struggling at 20/3.

Australia's woes deepened when Josh Inglis was run out for four following a mix-up with Cameron Green, reducing the visitors to 40/4 after 15.3 overs. Green was unbeaten on 16, while Australia still required 248 runs for victory.

Earlier, South Africa posted 329 in their first innings before Australia replied with 429, securing a 100-run first-innings lead.

The hosts fought back strongly in their second innings, scoring 387 to set Australia a target of 288.

Ryan Rickelton made 101, while Wiaan Mulder contributed 115, with the pair playing pivotal roles in turning the match in South Africa's favour.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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