RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB Shukri Conrad emerged as the ideal candidate to lead the Proteas across all formats following Rob Walter's unexpected resignation, backed by his successful tenure as Test coach and praised by former selector Hussein Manack for his understanding of the game and ability to get the best out of players. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
In the wake of Rob Walter’s shock resignation as Proteas white-ball coach earlier this week, it made a lot of sense for Shukri Conrad to take over.
Conrad, of course, has been immensely successful as the Test coach, as he was instrumental in helping the Proteas qualify for the World Test Championship final against Australia, scheduled to take place at Lord’s in June.
The different coach system for the formats, in fact, was an innovation that clearly has not seemed to work.
Having one coach for all three formats may be a traditional way of thinking, but it simply comes down to workload, believes former Proteas selector Hussein Manack.
"I think you would firstly look at Shukri, who's your Test coach. He would be the first person I would look at. Look at what he's achieved and how much is on his plate at the moment. Does he have the time?” Manack told SportsBoom.co.za.
"He understands the game, understands the landscape, and knows the cricket. If I look at the Test team, he's made some good calls on players, he's got the burnish to find a way to get the best out of them.”
Still, the resignation of Walter came out of the blue. Walter, as coach, will have taken a lot of criticism - a lot of it unfair - for failing to win an ICC event during his tenure.
Outside of ICC events, Walter also has only managed one bilateral series win as coach, which could have contributed to his decision.
Walter did, however, oversee the side to two semi-finals and a final for the first time in a senior men’s ICC limited overs event.
The Champions Trophy exit in the last four last month, though, may have been what led to Walter’s decision.
"I think as far as Rob's (resignation) goes, I mean I was surprised because of the fact that I heard Enoch [Nkwe] (the CSA Director of National Teams and High Performance) did support him. But when you look at kind of the struggles he was heading into this Champions Trophy, I think if you look at this Champions Trophy, there were more questions than answers about some of the decisions that were made.”
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