South African pace sensation Kagiso Rabada has scripted history in Test cricket by becoming the fastest bowler to claim 350 Test wickets in terms of balls bowled. The right-arm fast bowler achieved the milestone during the second innings of the third Test against Australia at Newlands, Cape Town, on Day 5.
Rabada reached the landmark after dismissing Australian batter Travis Head while South Africa were defending a target of 288 runs in the series-deciding Test. Head attempted to drive a fuller delivery outside off stump but edged the ball behind, where Marco Jansen took a catch in the gully to give Rabada his 350th Test wicket.
The 29-year-old achieved the milestone in just 13,808 deliveries, surpassing former South African fast-bowling great Dale Steyn, who previously held the record with 14,719 balls.
Fastest Bowlers to 350 Test Wickets (By Balls Bowled)
| Bowler | Balls Taken |
|---|---|
| Kagiso Rabada | 13,808 |
| Dale Steyn | 14,719 |
| Waqar Younis | 14,905 |
| Malcolm Marshall | 16,285 |
| Mitchell Starc | 16,908 |
Rabada also joined an elite group of fast bowlers by reaching 350 Test wickets in just 75 matches. He shares the fourth-fastest record in terms of matches with West Indies legend Malcolm Marshall.
Former New Zealand great Richard Hadlee and South African legend Dale Steyn jointly hold the record for the fewest Tests required to reach 350 wickets, having achieved the feat in 69 matches.
Fastest Fast Bowlers to 350 Test Wickets (By Matches)
| Bowler | Tests |
|---|---|
| Richard Hadlee / Dale Steyn | 69 |
| Dennis Lillee | 70 |
| Glenn McGrath | 74 |
| Malcolm Marshall / Kagiso Rabada | 75 |
| Waqar Younis | 78 |
| Imran Khan | 79 |
Rabada’s Explosive Start on Day 5
Rabada made an immediate impact on the fifth morning, delivering a devastating opening spell against Australia. He picked up two crucial wickets in the very first over.
He first dismissed Matt Renshaw on the third delivery of the innings. Renshaw attempted to guide the ball towards the leg side but edged it behind, where wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton completed the catch.
Just three deliveries later, Rabada trapped Marnus Labuschagne LBW with an inswinging delivery. Labuschagne chose not to offer a shot and reviewed the umpire’s decision, but the ball-tracking technology showed that it was hitting the stumps on umpire’s call.
With his historic 350-wicket milestone and an impressive opening spell, Rabada once again demonstrated his importance to South African cricket, further strengthening his reputation among the leading fast bowlers in the modern era.
