Kagiso Rabada fired back at suggestions that he should be rested for upcoming matches. 

The 21-year-old has played in 32 of the Proteas’ 35 ODIs since his debut against Bangladesh in July 2015. In that period, Rabada has been heavily relied upon as the main seamer, in the absence of Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn due to injury.

The calibre of his performances has made it difficult for Russell Domingo to rest him and the Proteas coach revealed this in his chat with the media on Saturday.

A left knee niggle did, however, keep him out of the Christchurch match, which the Proteas ended up losing narrowly by six runs. Despite bowling with a strapping on his knee throughout the series, Rabada set the tone for his side in Wellington with the new ball, taking 1-15 in his first five overs. He ended the match with 2-39 by the end of his 10-over spell and has made it clear that he is the only judge when it comes to his own fitness.

‘I feel like I’m the main person when it comes to judging how I feel, and truthfully as well,’ he said. ‘Sometimes you play with niggles, sometimes you feel fresh, sometimes niggles come and then they go away, sometimes they stay for a bit longer.

‘The longer that I’ve played the more I’ve learnt to manage myself, with the help of the medical team who give me advice, and I take it accordingly.’