Cricket
Conrad satisfied going into first Test against Windies─── MORGAN PIEK 09:08 Tue, 06 Aug 2024
“It was really good to see the guys playing with the intensity that we would associate with a normal Test match, especially on that last morning where we had a really good final session. So, all-in-all, really happy.”
The 1st Test between the West Indies and the Proteas will begin on Wednesday afternoon in Trinidad & Tobago, and the South Africans are feeling well-prepared and ready.
The West Indies are fresh off their 3-0 Test series defeat to the Three Lions in England, however, they put in some really good performances with the bat. By the same token, the Proteas have played very little red-ball cricket this year, and they played to a draw against the West Indies Championship XI last week in Tarouba.
The coach, Shukri Conrad, said he is satisfied with the prep going into the first Test, especially on the batting front.
‘We certainly got everything that we wanted out of it’
“The bulk of the batters got to get in and also spend some time in the middle, so it was a really good exercise,” said Conrad.
“As to whether we got answers to the questions – I don’t think there were too many questions to start with, but we certainly got everything that we wanted out of it.
“It was really good to see the guys playing with the intensity that we would associate with a normal Test match, especially on that last morning where we had a really good final session.
“So, all-in-all, really happy.”
Tristan Stubbs during the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. Photo: Cricinfo
Conrad once again indicated that he plans to use the young and explosive batter Tristan Stubbs at number three in the batting line-up, despite the 23-year-old scoring just 8-runs in Tarouba.
“Tristan is going to be backed – he’s going to be given a good run in that position,” Conrad added.
“His psyche, his technique speaks to someone who will do that job really well, and I’m going to give him a good run. And whether that is for the whole of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle remains to be seen.
“I’d be surprised if we didn’t back him throughout the rest of the cycle. I’m very confident that Tristain is going to come good, whether it’s in the first Test match or the second, but I think we’ve got a good one for the future of South African cricket,” said the Proteas Test coach.
“He’s quite an imposing character, a big, strong, strapping boy, and I quite like that. There are quite imposing guys – guys that have got a good aura about them and strong body language.”
Play in Port of Spain is scheduled to start on Wednesday afternoon at 16:00.
