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Rabada: I'm no Dale Steyn

Cape Town - Proteas speedster Kagiso Rabada has played down comparisons with team-mate Dale Steyn ahead of his first Test at Lord's.

Rabada, 22, has been spearheading the Proteas bowling attack in Steyn's absence after his untimely shoulder injury, which he sustained in Perth in November last year.

Steyn, who recently turned 34, is still recuperating from his injury and opted out of the all-important four-Test series in England.

Steyn still needs four Test wickets to reach 421 and tie former Proteas all-rounder Shaun Pollock as the leading South African wicket-taker in Tests.

However, Rabada has made his own strides in the Test squad, as he overtook Steyn as South Africa's highest-ranked Test bowler and currently sits seventh with Steyn eighth.

Leading up to the first Test, Rabada made it clear to the English press that he does not want to be like Steyn.

"He's a great bowler, one of the greatest of all time," Rabada told the Daily Mail website.

"I like to be myself. I don't want to be the next Dale Steyn, but I'd love to achieve what he's achieved - and even more if I can."

Rabada, who has only played 17 Tests, will be key to help secure his side their third straight Test series win in England.

The first Test gets underway on Thursday at Lord's (12:00 SA time).

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