Shukri Conrad's bold decisions as Test coach reshape South African cricket

WHEN Shukri Conrad took over as Test coach a little over two years ago, he made some big calls in his first squad selection, leaving out players that many would not have considered droppable.

Conrad left out former Test batter Rassie van der Dussen and Proteas fast bowler Lungi Ngidi from his first Test squad selection as he believed the two were behind the pecking order.

In Ngidi’s case, Conrad believed that Proteas fast bowler Gerald Coetzee was ahead of him, disregarding the advantage of experience that Ngidi had over Coetzee at the time.

At the time, Ngidi’s fitness was an issue and so did his form as he toured England and Australia for Test series and was largely ineffective on those tours.

However, a little over two years later, Ngidi has become a match winner for Conrad as the 29-year-old has played a vital hand in winning the World Test Championship final at Lord’s for South Africa by taking the wicket Steve Smith in the second innings in what was a magical spell.

Most recently, the fast bowler took a five-for at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay to help South Africa seal an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match One Day International series.

Most importantly, the fast bowler has proved himself to the coach as a reliable fast bowler and also as the leader off the bowling attack in the absence of the injured Kagiso Rabada in the ODI series.

Conrad highlighted that the fast bowler has responded well after being dropped as he showed hunger to be a consistent performer for South Africa.

“I think if I go back to when I took over and if you're referring to leaving Lungi out of the squad and playing Gerald ahead of him. I think a lot of the time, we did the same to Kyle Verreynne. A lot of the time is you look at how guys respond to that, and Lungi's been nothing short of spectacular,” Conrad told the media on Saturday.

“He's come back and shown why he's got the record he has in T20 cricket. Even his Test record is superb. I think he's probably as fit as he's been ever.

“He's as hungry as he's ever been with regards to how he goes about his business and his willingness to learn. And he's also shown the ability to lead an attack, you know, in the absence of Kagiso (Rabada). So I think Lungi has been nothing short of spectacular for us and long may that continue.”

Ngidi is one of the few players who have had very little rest after the World Test Championship final having played the Tri-Nations Series against hosts Zimbabwe and New Zealand before the squad toured Australia,

As a result, Conrad has decided to rest Ngidi for the third and final ODI against Australia in Mackay on Sunday. Matthew Breetzke might also be rested.

“You saw Matty Breetzke didn't field (in the second ODI). He felt a little niggle, so he had a scan done. Nothing untoward, thankfully. We might go conservatively with him,” said Conrad.

“It's never been about affording everybody a chance to play. Lungi was only going to play two matches of the ODIs having played all the T20Is. 50 over cricket is a long day.

“And in our case, long day and night. And with this quick turnaround and with an England tour a week away, we might look to rotate some of our bowlers. But ultimately, whatever we put out, we believe is the best side to win a series and a match.

“And we're definitely wanting to make sure that we try and win this three-zip and that's going to be our aim for tomorrow.”