Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has likened sport’s bio-bubbles to luxury prisons.
Currently “locked up” in Cape Town as they gear up to face England for the first of three T20Is at Newlands on Friday, Rabada also “served” two months between September and November tussen die vier mure in Dubai where he played in the IPL.
Speaking to the media from the team’s bubble in the Mother City, Rabada says: “The bubbles can be quite tough. You can’t interact [with other people] – you’ve basically lost your freedom. It’s almost like luxury prisons that we’re in.”
Rabada found his release in destroying opposition batsmen in the IPL, taking the most wickets (30) in the tournament.
The 25-year-old reveals the key to his success “in the bubble”, saying: “At the end of the day, you just have to remind yourself that we are fortunate – people right now have lost their jobs, people are struggling at the moment.
“I’m just trying to remind myself that we must be grateful for the opportunity that has been given to us.
"First of all to earn some money and secondly to do what we love.
“We don’t get treated too badly, we stay in great hotels, we get the best food – it’s like a spoilt kid not getting what they want at the candy store.
“At the same time it can be quite tough – you’re just surrounded by four walls and that can play a factor mentally. Just reminding yourself of all the good things that are happening.
“We are here to play cricket and once we start playing, I think it will take away from the desolate times.”
The limited overs series in the Mother City only ends on December 9 when they play the third and final ODI at Newlands.