South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has created history by becoming the fastest bowler to reach 350 wickets in Test cricket in terms of balls bowled. The right-arm pacer achieved the milestone during the third and final Test against Australia at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Rabada reached the landmark by dismissing Australian batter Travis Head during the visitors' second innings on Day 5. He completed the milestone in just 13,808 deliveries, breaking the previous record held by his South African teammate and former pace legend Dale Steyn, who required 14,719 deliveries to claim 350 Test wickets.
The dismissal came as Rabada produced a remarkable opening spell while South Africa attempted to defend a target of 288 runs. He first removed Matt Renshaw for a duck before dismissing Marnus Labuschagne for four runs. Rabada then picked up the important wicket of Travis Head, who edged a delivery to Marco Jansen at gully.
Kagiso Rabada Fastest to 350 Test Wickets
Rabada now holds the record for the fewest deliveries required to reach 350 wickets in Test cricket. Pakistan's Waqar Younis, West Indies legend Malcolm Marshall and Australia's Mitchell Starc complete the top five on the list.
Bowler | Deliveries |
|---|---|
Kagiso Rabada | 13,808 |
Dale Steyn | 14,719 |
Waqar Younis | 14,905 |
Malcolm Marshall | 16,285 |
16,908 |
Rabada Joins South Africa's Elite Test Bowlers
The 350-wicket milestone places Rabada among South Africa's greatest Test bowlers. He becomes the fourth South African to reach the landmark, joining Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini.
Steyn remains South Africa's leading Test wicket-taker with 439 wickets, followed by Pollock with 421 and Ntini with 390.
Rabada reached 350 wickets in his 75th Test appearance. While he is the fastest bowler in history to achieve the milestone by deliveries bowled, Dale Steyn remains ahead of him in terms of matches taken, having reached 350 wickets in 69 Tests.
Rabada Leads South Africa's Fight Against Australia
Rabada's achievement came at a crucial stage of the series-deciding Test. South Africa entered the final innings defending a target of 288 runs after posting 387 in their second innings.
His early breakthroughs put Australia under enormous pressure, while Simon Harmer also made important contributions with the ball.
The three-match series was level at 1-1 heading into the final Test. Rabada's outstanding bowling performance gave South Africa a significant advantage as they pushed for a series victory at Newlands.
The milestone further strengthens Rabada's reputation as one of the leading fast bowlers of modern-day Test cricket.
