That is one of our top priorities: Dean Elgar on Kagiso Rabada's fitness

Kagiso Rabada is a key cog for the Proteas Test side

South Africa's Test skipper Dean Elgar has said that the fitness of pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada remains the top priority for the tourists ahead of the upcoming three-match Test series against England.

An ankle injury saw Rabada miss out on the T20I series decider against England and the subsequent T20Is against Ireland.

The right-arm pacer will not feature in the upcoming four-day warm-up game against the England Lions, starting on Tuesday in Canterbury.

However, Elgar revealed that Rabada has started bowling in the nets and with the 1st Test still 8 days away, he is confident that the Proteas premier pacer will be available to lead the attack at Lord's.

"Obviously that is one of our top priorities that we have at the moment. Look, he has bowled since we've started our camp in Canterbury," said Elgar.

"Going through the workload I think that's maybe the biggest concern; whether he can carry himself throughout a Test match with the intensity and volume of overs in a day's play," he added.

"For now he's doing all the right things, I can't say yes or no as yet because there are eight, nine days out before we play the first Test but it is high on our list to get him fit," remarked the Proteas opener.

While South Africa sweat on Rabada's availability, the tourists will be chuffed at the fact that pacer Anrich Nortje has returned to the set-up after a long layoff due to injury.

''Good for them''- Dean Elgar on England's 'BazBall' approach

Meanwhile, Elgar isn't too concerned about England's whirlwind approach with the bat in recent Tests.

While he admitted that "BazBall" has triggered a few conversations around the world, the gritty opener believes that conditions dictate the style of play.

"Good for them. It’s an interesting style that’s caused a few conversations around the world, around how they have been playing, but I’m not too concerned. Conditions had a massive role to play with regard to that style of cricket, I’m not too concerned with how they have gone about things of late, for me, the biggest thing is to focus on my squad," he said.

The three-match Test series will commence at Lord's on August 17. The 2nd and 3rd match will take place in Manchester (August 25-29) and at the Oval (September 08-12).

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