Elgar's strong message to Rabada

Joe Root spoke about momentum after England’s new era under his fledgling captaincy got off to the perfect start thanks in large part to Moeen Ali’s ten-wicket match haul at Lord’s.

However, will South Africa be able to fight back in this four-match series even though they will be missing Kagiso Rabada for the second Test at Trent Bridge starting on Friday?

Rabada, in my view the most exciting young fast bowler in the world right now, is banned for that match in Nottingham after his sweary send-off to Ben Stokes during England’s first innings of the series opener. 

The vagaries of the International Cricket Council’s demerit points system and the fact Rabada was granted three minus marks for what appeared an inconsequential clash with Sri Lanka’s Niroshan Dickwella during an ODI in Cape Town in February can’t take away from the fact the 22-year-old did cross a line at Lord’s, an offence that saw him gain the fourth demerit point that triggered this ban.

When he again took Stokes’ wicket on the fourth and final day of this match, Dean Elgar, South Africa’s stand-in captain, jokingly put his hand over Rabada’s mouth during the celebration. The bowler followed that by putting his finger to his lips, a tongue-in-cheek reaction that masked his own disappointment over an issue that has left him "heartbroken" according to team-mate Temba Bavuma.

"It’s a big loss for the Proteas, and a big loss for Test cricket," said Elgar. "KG is a vitally important bowler for our attack, he adds a different dynamic to our bowling and has an aggression-factor which is quite important in Test cricket to get those breakthroughs.

"He’s been a phenomenal strength in our bowling attack for the last three years in all formats and he’s a big, big loss." 

Fans from both sides would be forgiven for feeling short-changed by the star bowler’s absence.

Yet even though South Africa have every right to feel a sense of injustice over what appears a heavy-handed punishment, Elgar believes there can be no room for complaints from Rabada, who he said has "let down" his team-mates and himself.

"I do think the game of cricket is at a loss when he’s not playing," said Elgar.

"Hopefully he learns from this and I think he’ll realise that he’s missing a game for South Africa and that will hurt. He’s possibly let the team down and also he’s let himself down. I do think he’s definitely learned from it."

Those are strong words from Elgar, who also revealed Rabada has apologised to the South African team management. 

"I do know he’s apologised to our senior management," Elgar confirmed. "He’s definitely been hurt by this ban."

England’s chances of winning in Nottingham and taking a 2-0 series lead have been greatly enhanced by Rabada’s ban, even if captain Faf Du Plessis does return from his extended paternity leave. 

Root and his players will be energised by what represents their first win in seven Tests following the nightmare winter in Bangladesh and India that ultimately cost Alastair Cook the England captaincy.

Although Root praised Moeen’s "outstanding" contribution with the ball, his 6-53 as South Africa were routed for 119 on the final day and 10-112 overall, the Yorkshireman was also keen to point out that this victory was a true team effort.

Root, whose first-innings 190 also proved crucial to his team’s win, said: "It’s a great start and the whole team were fabulous throughout.

"Everything that was thrown at them and asked of them they responded extremely well and it’s great to be 1-0 up going into Trent Bridge.

"Everyone’s played their part - people did stand up at certain times. It might not have been a six-fer or a hundred, but there were some crucial periods where guys stood up and affected the game in a proactive manner."