The Proteas’ fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada, could join an elite club during the upcoming test series against the West Indies. Rabada is in the Caribbean with the Proteas for the two-test series that will be played in Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana over the next couple of weeks.

Rabada is on the brink of becoming just the sixth South African bowler to reach 300 or more test wickets. The 29-year-old is on 291 test wickets, which is the exact same number as what the legendary all-rounder, Jacques Kallis, managed to take in his illustrious career. So far, only Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald, Makhaya Ntini, and Morné Morkel have been able to join the elite 300 club.

Kagiso Rabada. Picture: Cricinfo.

Rabada said the milestone would be special, but the team comes first. “I’m aware of that, and I think that will be such a special milestone, but I’m not focused on it. I think that’ll just be a byproduct. I’m just focused on making sure I’m there for the team.

“First of all, I’m making sure that I find a way to put in a performance and by putting in a performance, it ultimately means the team is moving in the right direction. That means I’m doing my part and just being a good teammate.

“I think those are the two aspects I am focusing on more than thinking about how I’m going to get nine wickets. It’ll happen on its own in due time. So, I don’t think there’s any great precedence in thinking about that too much.

“It just takes your focus away, to actually getting the job done. But whenever it does happen and if it happens these next two tests or in this next Test, I mean, that will be phenomenal.”

The first test in Port of Spain starts next week on Wednesday.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg/mvh