Shukri Conrad happy Proteas' youngsters helped 'maintain the standards' in Zimbabwe

Prior to departing for Zimbabwe after the emotion of scaling their Everest by winning the World Test Championship at Lord’s, Proteas coach Shukri Conrad would have made a mental note of the objectives he hoped his team would achieve in the land of Chevrons.

Much of it would have been to get his players back to ground zero, and that the youngsters afforded an opportunity in the absence of several starters from the WTC Final would take their chances to deepen the talent pool that Conrad has to select from for the prospective tougher contests in the subcontinent later this year.

The boxes were duly ticked with Conrad pleased his team maintained their high-performance levels throughout both Test matches. 

“I think the important and the most impressive thing for me was how we managed to keep the standards as high as we set them - both the first Test and the second Test,” Conrad said after the innings and 236-run victory in the second Test at the Queens Park Oval on Tuesday.

“Batting first, we found ourselves in a little bit of trouble against the new ball and then how the youngsters, Lhuan-dre (Pretorius) and Brevi (Dewald Brevis) managed that in the first Test. And the same in the second, we found ourselves in trouble and then Wiaan played a monumental knock.

“And then on the bowling front, just the disciplines we were able to maintain throughout and constantly keep the Zimbabwean batters under pressure, that for me was really impressive. 

“And then obviously the catching … It again is something that we attach a high value to and the way we, in the field, we were really, really good as well. So that was particularly impressive for me.”

There were numerous individual performances that would have caught Conrad’s attention - most notably Pretorius’ 235 runs and seamer Codi Yusuf’s 10 wickets - and the coach certainly feels they are now part of the discussions moving forwards.

“Lhuan is a special talent without wanting to jump the gun. I think it's hard to ignore what he's done here,” Conrad. “He's definitely in the discussion for the subcontinent later. 

“And Cody, I mean, you can see Cody, you can see the value of a really good domestic season. You can see the value of a short stint with Durham in the county set up.

“He's completely, well I'm not saying completely, but he's certainly a lot more disciplined, really good skill set and hugely impressive again. And we talk of gaining a measure of control. He certainly gives you that with a new ball and he set the tone for us.”

Undoubtedly, Conrad would have taken greatest pleasure from stand-in skipper Wiaan Mulder’s success at No 3 though.

The coach had come in for criticism after opting for the allrounder at first drop in the WTC Final, but he had seen enough in the second innings against Australia’s much-vaunted pace attack to persevere with Mulder. 

Five-hundred-thirty-one runs later, including a highest-ever Test score of 367 not out by a South African - has everyone now singing Mulder’s praises.

“I'm thrilled that he was able to turn in a performance like he did with the bat,” Conrad said.

“It wasn't long ago when people weren't quite sure whether he should even be in the side - let alone batting at No 3. 

“It's amazing how the conversations have changed now. I'm really thrilled for Wiaan and I'm sure Wiaan is a really happy man now as well.”

Conrad and the Proteas will now switch their focus to white-ball cricket with a T20 Tri-Series, featuring the hosts and New Zealand, starting on Monday in Harare.  

And then on the bowling front, just the disciplines we were able to maintain throughout and constantly keep the Zimbabwean batters under pressure, that for me was really impressive. 

“And then obviously the catching … It again is something that we attach a high value to and the way we, in the field, we were really, really good as well. So that was particularly impressive for me.”

There were numerous individual performances that would have caught Conrad’s attention - most notably Pretorius’ 235 runs and seamer Codi Yusuf’s 10 wickets - and the coach certainly feels they are now part of the discussions moving forwards.

“Lhuan is a special talent without wanting to jump the gun. I think it's hard to ignore what he's done here,” Conrad. “He's definitely in the discussion for the subcontinent later. 

“And Cody, I mean, you can see Cody, you can see the value of a really good domestic season. You can see the value of a short stint with Durham in the county set up.

“He's completely, well I'm not saying completely, but he's certainly a lot more disciplined, really good skill set and hugely impressive again. And we talk of gaining a measure of control. He certainly gives you that with a new ball and he set the tone for us.”

Undoubtedly, Conrad would have taken greatest pleasure from stand-in skipper Wiaan Mulder’s success at No 3 though.

The coach had come in for criticism after opting for the allrounder at first drop in the WTC Final, but he had seen enough in the second innings against Australia’s much-vaunted pace attack to persevere with Mulder. 

Five-hundred-thirty-one runs later, including a highest-ever Test score of 367 not out by a South African - has everyone now singing Mulder’s praises.

“I'm thrilled that he was able to turn in a performance like he did with the bat,” Conrad said.

“It wasn't long ago when people weren't quite sure whether he should even be in the side - let alone batting at No 3. 

“It's amazing how the conversations have changed now. I'm really thrilled for Wiaan and I'm sure Wiaan is a really happy man now as well.”

Conrad and the Proteas will now switch their focus to white-ball cricket with a T20 Tri-Series, featuring the hosts and New Zealand, starting on Monday in Harare.