Now that Kagiso Rabada has done his time, welcomed back to the Proteas with open arms

“Let he without sin cast the first stone.”

That’s Proteas coach Shukri Conrad’s clear message after he included Kagiso Rabada in the 15-player Test squad to take on Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next month.

Conrad came out swinging in defence of his star fast bowler after Rabada recently served a one-month ban for failing a drug test. The 29-year-old talisman served his sanction between April 3 and May 3 and has since been cleared to play. And, at least according to Conrad, that’s all that matters.

“I've been engaging with KG ever since I learnt about it. I don't know why it's an elephant in the room, because I'm just thankful that the process that was followed was in line with what the world standards are,” Conrad said on Tuesday.

“So it's not for me or anybody else to question whether the process that was followed was the legitimate one.

“It was the legitimate one. And he served whatever ban or whatever the consequences were, and whatever was laid down by SAIDS, and in line with what the World Anti-Doping Association authorities prescribed, so everything's in line with that. And we're comfortable with the process

“I certainly wasn't going to pre-empt anything. We allowed the process to develop as it did, and once we learnt that this was the route that they went, that it was a one-month ban, and the ban had started on 1 April, I was very comfortable with that. 

“Yes, and I think the important thing is that KG's a big player wherever he goes in the world. So, he's a massive player for us. 

“But not for one minute did I sit on tenterhooks, worrying about whether he potentially will be available or not.”

Conrad’s bigger issue was Rabada’s mental state after everything that has transpired over the last month.  

“For me it was more about whether KG's all right, and close ranks around him and ensure (me) that he's in a good space,” he said.

“Because at the end of the day we care for all our players. He has served his sentence, and all that I'm interested in now is KG producing performances that we know he's capable of.”

Conrad could not provide any clarity on whether Rabada would return to the IPL to play for the Gujarat Titans once the competition resumes on May 17. The IPL was called to halt on May 8 due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

More importantly, the IPL final has now been moved to June 3 from May 25. All South Africa’s players originally had NOC’s (No Objection Certificates) until the original date of the IPL final in order for the Test squad to begin preparations for the WTC final.

Conrad claimed discussions “higher than my pay grade” are ongoing to ensure this remains in place with the Proteas scheduled to play a four-day warm-up game against Zimbabwe at Arundel from June 3.

“So, the initial agreement with IPL and BCCI was with the final being on the 25th, our players would return on the 26th, so that it allows them ample time before we fly out on the 30th.

“Nothing has changed from our perspective. That is the ongoing conversations that are being had between people higher than my pay grade; i.e. the Director of Cricket (Enoch Nkwe) and (CSA Chief Executive) Pholetsi Moseki

“But as it stands, we're not budging on that, I don't think. We want our players back on the 26th, and hopefully that comes to fruition. 

“I think the bulk of them are here. One or two are floating around between India and here, just waiting. But yeah, the bulk of the guys are here.

“Spoke to Aiden (Markram) as recently as this morning. He's probably flying out on Thursday night once everything gets signed off.But again, it's really great to know that the WTC final is uppermost in their minds, and they want to be given every chance of being able to do the necessary prep.”